A simmering water and fire quarrel
At a period in this country when the numerous fire outbreaks, especially in markets, continue to baffle the public, the news that only four of the 150 fire hydrants in Accra are working is frightening.
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Significantly, the shocking and incredible July 16 report in the Ghanaian Times about the hydrants has not been challenged.
Fire hydrants are pipes located in streets to supply water for putting out fires. The paper said the four working hydrants are at Kaneshie Zongo, Nima, Adabraka and the ‘37’ Military Hospital.
That this news has not caused public outrage, or immediate action by the oversight authorities, must be indicative of the gravity of other challenges the country is currently battling.
In fact, it appears that the problem has been a source of friction between the Ghana National Fire Service (GNFS) and the Ghana Water Company (GWCL) organisations for years. Yet, evidently, it has not been of enough concern to compel them to fast-track a solution strategy.
Ellis Okoe Robinson, Public Relations Officer of the Fire Service claimed that most of the hydrants have been sealed by the Water Company because they accuse the Fire Service of “commercialising” treated water from the hydrants.
Mr Robinson refuted the allegation, adding that due to the closure of the hydrants, during fire outbreaks they have to go long distances to look for water.
He told the Times that although the two organisations have met many times to address the problem no headway has been made. “If they claim we’re selling the water, why can’t they arrest such people so that they can be prosecuted?” he questioned.
However, Michael Agyemang, Chief Public Relations Manager of the GWCL, denied the Fire Service accusation, saying they should prove the allegation. It’s not the Water Company’s policy to seal fire hydrants, Mr Agyemang said.
Commenting on the allegation that the Fire Service sells the hydrant water, he said “it was a mere public perception” and appealed to the GNFS to collaborate with them to address the issue.
I find the stances of the two public relations practitioners most unhelpful. While they trade accusations and denials, the taxpayers whose taxes fund their organisations lose out.
Strangely, it is the Water Company that is citing “public perception” about the Fire Service!
If the Water Company really wanted the issue addressed, just what has prevented it from taking steps to liaise with the Fire Service to work out a mutually satisfactory solution?
While the two continue to justify their territorial stand-offs, the water and fire quarrel doubtlessly poses a serious threat to fire fighting in Accra. Lives and colossal amounts in property costs have been lost through the fires.
But what could have given rise to a “public perception” that hydrant water is commercialised by the Fire Service?
A story a friend told me provides food for thought. My friend, who lives in Accra’s Airport Residential Area, recalls that a couple of years ago, during periods of serious water scarcity in parts of the city, often he would see a water tanker in the charge of uniformed men coming to fill it from a nearby hydrant. However, he couldn’t identify the uniform.
One day he decided to take action. He took his camera and positioned himself where the men could see him apparently taking the photos as they started to fill up the tanker.
He said immediately they saw him with a camera, they stopped drawing the water and sped off in the tanker. Since then he has never seen a water tanker near that hydrant.
If those unidentified, uniformed men were on official duty to fetch water from that hydrant, why have they stopped going there since they saw someone with a camera?
Are the sector ministries, Interior and Water Resources, Works and Housing, aware of what appears to be a long-standing dispute? If so, what have the two ministries done about it?
One can only hope that the simmering tension doesn’t boil over one day.
But my friend’s account perhaps presents another dimension to the problem: Does the Fire Service have an accurate list of all its fire hydrants and their locations?
Making a difference
I find it hard to believe, but the calendar confirms that this feature, the resurrected ‘Thoughts of a Native Daughter’ column, has chalked one year already!
Indeed, as this week’s issue is dated August 8, this column is actually one year plus a few days old. For, it was on August 3, 2013 that the first article of the ‘returnee’ appeared, under the headline ‘Of old firewood, corned beef and sankofa’.
Being a somewhat sentimental person I tend to believe in celebrating, or at least remembering, anniversaries. However, I confess that I nearly forgot this particular anniversary. But in the present times who can be blamed for forgetting such things?
For, in the weeks and days preceding what should have been a celebratory day, our country has been reeling from one harrowing matter to another, including the impact of a free-falling national currency; escalating cost of living; high fuel prices; demonstrations and strikes by various sectors.
There is also the apprehension over the rising cholera toll in Accra and, terrifyingly, the seemingly unstoppable advance of the Ebola disease from one West African country to the other.
Nevertheless, I would like to take this opportunity to express my profound appreciation to all those who have been reading the column, especially those who have responded to some of them. Every comment, whether praise or criticism, has helped me tremendously and motivated me to continue.
For, it goes without saying that the writing business is not only time-consuming; it is also a very solitary and demanding enterprise. Thus without some kind of feedback it is usually difficult to know if the intended impact is being achieved, whether the time spent has been worthwhile.
Anyway, I have enjoyed the year of sharing my thoughts with readers and I hope that at least sometimes I have stimulated a fresh way of looking at some issues; above all, humbly, making a difference.
Thank you, readers.