bout 25 families of the victims of the June 3 flood and fire disaster have received the stipulated cash support of GH¢10,000 per head from government.

This addition brings the total number of families that have received the cash support so far to 71. If it would be recalled, the disaster claimed about 160 lives.

Dr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), presenting the money to the families of the victims in a short ceremony held in Accra yesterday, stated that the gesture is to enable dependents left by the victims have some financial support.

He also held that it is to clear any cost that may have been incurred on behalf of the victims, especially the cost of burial.

“Though the monies would not bring the victims back, we are hopeful that it will lessen the pressure on the survivors and, to a large extent, their families,” he reiterated.

Speaking on when the assembly would cover all the families of the victims, he detailed that as of now some deceased persons are still unidentified and are at the morgue.

“As soon as the bodies are identified and claimed, the necessary procedure will follow to ensure that their families receive the cash support,” he added.

To commemorate the June 3 disaster, Dr Vanderpuije detailed that on Friday a non-denominational service would be held at the Ernest Bruce Memorial Methodist Church at Adabraka for the departed souls, which will be followed by a wreath-laying ceremony.

Dr Oko Vanderpuije seized the opportunity to assure the general public that the AMA is working tirelessly to ensure that the June 3 disaster doesn’t ever occur again in the history of the country.

He expressed his profound condolences to the families of the victims and encouraged them to take refuge in the Lord.

Two families who spoke to The Finder expressed their gratitude to government for the support, and assured that the money would go to support school-going children of the deceased.