Information have started emerging about how MAXAM, an explosive manufacturer whose chemical exploded at Appiate around Bogoso in the Western Region claiming over 17 lives and injured many engages in poor safety practice.
The Minister of the Interior, Ambrose Dery not long after taking office in 2017 had ordered the management of MAXAM, operating in Tarkwa in the Western Region, to address all the shortfalls in its operations within eight weeks, according to reports carried by in the media at the time.
He threatened to stop granting the company any further permits to handle explosives if it fails to meet the approved safety standards.
“With magazines, the new regulation is that, there should be bunkers erected on the four sizes of the magazines to ensure that in case of any explosion, the horizontal movement of the explosion would be contained within the bunkers, and can only go vertically up which l believe would reduce any collateral damage that may be caused,” he said.
The Minister told the press how MAXAM had failed to meet the regulation to secure their magazines as stated by the regulator as a company granted a permit to operate.
Giving some details about the poor safety practice, Mr. Dery said when he visited the company with other officials from the Ministry, no protective clothing like jackets, helmet and goggles were provided for them, but similar companies ensured that they had those items immediately they arrived at their premises.
“When you go into the yard it looks so disorganized that you cannot be sure that their security is up to speed, and if the security is not up to the task, there is the possibility of some explosives getting into the wrong hands,” he said adding that government is much concerned about high standards and that best practices must be pursued.
He warned that any company that breaches the law would be dealt with accordingly.
Yesterday, truck of the company carrying explosives at Appiate engulfed in an accident which resulted in explosion where some 17 people died and nearly 60 others sustained various degrees of injuries.
Source: DailyGuide