Interior Minister: I said I could not rule out arson, I did not say I suspect arson
Interior Minister Mark Woyongo has denied he categorically said he suspected arson in the Tuesday blaze that reduced the nation’s Central Medical Stores at Tema to rubble.
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Rather, he says he was asked if he suspected arson in that wasteful fire, to which he responded, arson or sabotage could not be ruled out but would desire that a proper investigation established the actual cause.
Mark Woyongo has been quoted by a newspaper to have said he suspected arson in the incident which destroyed medicals and other health supplies estimated at GH₵27 million.
He told Radio Gold Thursday morning that he had visited the scene of the fire to see the extent of destruction and thereafter, the press subjected him to questioning, including whether he suspected arson.
“…and I said oh at this moment I cannot rule out arson, I can’t rule out sabotage, I can’t rule out anything until the police and the fire service submit their joint report. That is exactly what I said. I wasn’t categorical. I couldn’t have been categorical because investigations are still underway…”
The Interior Minister said a joint interim report on the incident will be ready by Friday, describing what he saw of the aftermath of the fire as massive, massive destruction.
“I saw massive, massive destruction, nothing to salvage in that place and I was saddened when I saw the rubble and the smoke still smouldering, I was really sad because of the huge loss to the state.”
Mark Woyongo also suggested the need for safety and security measures including the provision of CCTVs and the separation of highly combustible and non-combustible materials in such sensitive places.
