Minerals Commission's Laxity In Performing Duty Exposed By Lands Minister

The laxity of the Minerals Commission in  monitoring mining companies was exposed  when it came to light that a small scale company, Okobeng Mining with a prospecting licence had finished mining and reclaiming the site at the company's concession at Domenase in the Nzema East Municipality. 

There were conflicting dates as to the issuance of the prospecting licence and this got the Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, John Peter Amewu infuriated. 

The Minister, who is on a tour of mining areas in the Western Region  with his two deputies, has called on the Minerals Commission  to revoke the prospecting lease of the company. 

The Minister was outraged upon seeing that the security men at post had uniforms  meant for regular  service men though they were ex-service men. 

The company's activity was about 30 meters close to River Ankobra, a violation of the  100 meters buffer mandated by law. 

The security  men with the convoy ceased the uniforms  and a weapon,pump action  gun used by the security guys on site.

In a related development, all the nine district mining officers within the Minerals Commission are to proceed on leave immediately.

Mr. Amewu who disclosed this to the media ahead of issuing the offices their letters was outraged upon seeking the pollution of River Akobra at Dwira Tumantu in the Nzema East Constituency of the Western Region.

The Minister is on a tour to access compliance of the three week ultimatum which elapsed last Wednesday.

Per the ultimatum, all illegal small activities should cease and equipment moved from sites.

According to reports more than 540 excavators have been moved as well as one thousand dredgers.

During a similar tour in the Eastern Region it came to light that most of the mining officers with the Minerals Commission are not up to the task, contributing to the galamsey menace.


GBC