Civil Society Organisation, OneGhana Movement, has indicated that efforts in seeking justice for the June 3 disaster victims, is still on course.
The Movement, in a statement issued June 3, 2021 to mark the 6th anniversary of the disaster, said, "the victims and the OneGhana Movement have through their lawyers, (Darko, Keli-Delataa & Co.) and (A-Partners @ Law), commenced a class action against GOIL, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), and the Accra Metropolitan Authority (AMA) for their complicity in the disaster.
"Though the Justice For June 3 (J4J3) case has been in court since 2018, we are staying the course and working to ensure that systems are put in place to guarantee that officials uphold their responsibility to the people of Ghana; and work assiduously to execute their roles to the best of their abilities."
On June 3, 2015, torrential rainfall, which affected most parts of the country, flooded the Kwame Nkrumah Circle. Reports indicate that fuel leakage from the Goil Service station in the area and fire from a cigarette stub caused the devastating fire and flood catastrophe resulting in the death of 154 people. Hundreds of people suffered severe burns in the unfortunate incident.
The floods were attributed to blockages in Accra’s main storm drains, resulting from the non-desilting of the drains, as well as the building of settlements and habitation of squatters in the storm drains.
The lower parts of the Odaw River in the area known as ‘Sodom and Gomorrah’ had been blocked by settlers who had reclaimed substantial portions of the Odaw channel and built houses, mosques, churches, and a market on it, thereby reducing the discharge capacity of the Odaw Channel into the Korle-Lagoon.
The OneGhana Movement launched the J4J3 project in accordance with its citizen responsibility and policy accountability to "increase transparency and accountability in public financial management, hold corporations, public officials and institutions accountable, secure equitable compensation for victims, encourage citizens’ participation in governance and increase their engagement with national and local authorities."
While the court case continues, the One Ghana Movement is hopeful that "the pursuit of justice will not only result in fair compensations to victims and their families but will, in the end, punish officials found culpable.
"Even more importantly, it will drive the sense of accountability and responsibility on the part of citizens, corporate Ghana, and public officials. In so doing, the citizens shall be emboldened not to allow their rights and privileges to be trampled upon. Public servants and politicians alike shall also realize that they will be held accountable for their actions or inactions."
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