Accra, June 7, GNA - A five-member Greater Accra Regional Fire Committee was on Monday inaugurated and tasked with the responsibility of advising the National Fire Service Council on issues relating to fire safety and prevention.

It is also expected to provide technical advice for building plans in respect of machinery and structural layout to facilitate escape during fire outbreaks, rescue operations and its management. Sheik I. C. Quaye, Greater Accra Regional Minster, who inaugurated the Committee, urged it to be mindful of their function and discharge them to the best of their abilities.

He also asked the Committee to regularly liaise with relevant fire bodies to fully deliberate on issues concerning fire so that they would be poised to offer timely advice and intervention.

Sheik Quaye said the appropriate steps would be taken to equip the District Fire Committees to enable them to function effectively. He noted that without the proper flow of information from the District Committees to the Regional and National bodies it would be difficult to tackle fire issues efficiently.

Mrs Esther Adee Karikari, Member of National Fire Council, said the reason for establishing the Committees was to decentralize the work of the Council to make it meaningful and purposeful.

She noted that statistic available indicated that fire had destroyed substantial amount of domestic product and capital stock. Mrs Karikari, therefore, urged the Firemen to effectively manage and prevent fires to reduce the impact of domestic, industrial and bush fires.

She urged the Committee to check illegal connection of electricity, putting up structure on hydrant points and maintenance and to strictly ensure the implementation of the provisions of fire precaution regulations.

The Committee comprised representatives of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) , Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG), Attorney-General's Department, National House of Chiefs and has the Regional Minister as the Chairman.

Justice Kobina Acquaye, an Accra High Court Judge swore the members into office.