MPs demand probe into Crest Foam fire

Mar 10, 2015

MPs have asked the Ministry of Gender to institute a probe committee to investigate the cause and the working conditions at the Crest Foam Company along Ntinda Stretcher Road

By Mary Karugabaa & Henry Sekanjako

MPs have asked the Ministry of Gender to institute a probe committee to investigate the cause and the working conditions at the Crest Foam Company along Ntinda Stretcher Road.


The factory was gutted by fire on Monday morning, killing six casual workers.

Workers’ MP Arinaitwe Rwakajara said the department of occupational safety together with Police should find out whether the fire could have been prevented.

“The working conditions of majority of Ugandans are very terrible. In this case, people died; could this have been prevented? Did the structure have all the safety measures in place?” Rwakajara asked.

Once investigations are done, Rwakajara said, the department should start the legal processes against the Company in case the standards were compromised. 

A fire brigade truck at the entrance to Crest Foam Mattress factory in Ntinda, Kampala, on March 9, 2015. Photo/ Richard Sanya

The occupational safety and Health Act 2006 requires that all employers guarantee the safety of the employees at work places.

Unfortunately when he was presenting, no single government minister was present. This prompted MPs Geoffrey Ekanya and Theodore Ssekikubo to ask whether it was procedurally right for the MP to request government to take action in the absence of ministers. 

“What we are discussing is a matter of national importance; unfortunately, some ministers representing government are in the canteen having lunch. Why should we continue talking to ourselves about this disaster?” Ssekikubo asked.

Joseph Ssewungu also wondered whether the ministry of disaster had any solution apart from 'supplying posho and beans.'

Hardly had he completed the sentence than State minister for Disaster Preparedness and Refugees Musa Ecweru entered causing laughter.

Ecweru immediately assumed the position of the acting Prime Minister. He further amused members when he said he had noted all the members' concerns and would report to the responsible ministers.

“I have noted the members concern… “he said, before Betty Namboze asked him to explain the concerns he had noted given the fact that he just entered the Chambers and found the debate already ongoing.

Ecweru said the Prime Minister’s office had asked Police to investigate the matter.  

MP Elijah Okupa criticized government for failure to take action against the company when he reported to parliament that it had reclaimed part of the wetland.

“If you had taken action, the activities which sparked off the fire could not have happened,” he said.

Other MPs criticized Government for failure to produce reports on fire outbreaks in the markets and schools.


 

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