A safety expert, Mr Isaac Okyem says although he has no evidence, he has also heard allegations that some mining companies bribe officials from the Minerals Commission in order to have their.es.
Per his checks as a Safety Officer in the Mining sector, he said when the mining company notifies the Minerals Commission that they want to transport explosives, the Commission also has to notify the Highways Authority because they may be causing traffic on the high way and there is a cost for that.
He said because most of the mining companies want to dodge the cost, they do not inform the Minerals Commission at all and that is when excavators move around with explosives with no escort.
Read Also: Apiatse explosion: MAXAM slapped with $6m fine
He was commenting on the Apiatse disaster that took many lives recently.
On Thursday, January 20th 2022, there was an explosion at Apiatse, a town between Bogoso and Bawdie in the Western Region.
According to reports, a mining explosive vehicle moving from Tarkwa to Chirano mines collided with a motorcycle resulting in the explosion.
As a result, almost 20 persons were reported dead while almost 160 persons sustained injuries.
Also, the disaster destroyed several domestic and commercial properties, leaving over 100 persons homeless.
In a latest development, Maxam Company Limited, the company whose mining truck was involved in the disaster has been fined 6 million dollars.
Speaking on Atinka TV‘s morning show, Ghana Nie with Ekourba Gyasi Simpremu, Mr Isaac Okyem appealed to the Ministry of Lands Commission to ensure that all multinational mining companies transporting explosives will go with an escort moving forward.
“I know the Minerals Commission is working but I do not know what happened that the unfortunate incident happened and that is why the Sector Minister, Mr Samuel Abu Jinapor interdicted the Chief Inspector of Mines at the Minerals Commission. The right thing was not done and that is why the Minister took that decision but I will appeal to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources to compel all multinational mining companies who carry explosives or heavy duty trucks to their mining sites to use escort including police escort,” he added.
Ghana| Atinkaonline.com| Porcia Oforiwaa Ofori
Writer’s email: [email protected]
