Former Ayawaso Central MP, Henry Quartey, has called for investigators to locate the contractor linked to the collapsed structure at Accra Newtown Experimental School, stressing that critical questions regarding access to the building remain unanswered.
Speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem, the former Greater Accra Regional Minister said the contractor is central to the ongoing investigation and must clarify whether proper controls were in place to prevent entry into the unsafe building.
Mr. Quartey noted that prior warnings had been issued about the building’s compromised condition, emphasizing that responsibility may lie in how those directives were enforced. He referenced statements by the Interior Minister, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, indicating that the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) had cautioned against allowing anyone near the structure.
“I heard the Interior Minister say the MCE had sent a warning that nobody should go there, so proactive measures were taken,” he said.
The former MP recounted that during his tenure, concerns about the building’s structural integrity had led to restrictions on its use, particularly to prevent schoolchildren from entering. He revealed that the contractor had resisted demolition attempts and even threatened legal action at the time.
“During my tenure, the MCE also did the same thing, but the contractor said he was going to court when they planned to demolish the building,” he explained.
Despite these measures, Mr. Quartey expressed concern over how the building was later accessed and reportedly used by a church, raising questions about enforcement lapses.
“I don’t blame the contractor because he said he gave the order, so I don’t know how the church got to operate there,” he said. “Because there were issues with structural integrity, the schoolchildren were not allowed to go there, so I don’t know how the church got access.”
His comments come amid assurances from the Interior Minister that a full-scale investigation will be conducted to determine the circumstances leading to the collapse. The incident, which occurred on Sunday, has intensified scrutiny over enforcement of safety directives and accountability in managing structurally compromised public buildings across Accra.
Source: adomonline.com
