Forestry Commission Says Excavators Seized at Tano Anwia Released to 44 Engineers Regiment for Road Works

The Forestry Commission has clarified that excavators previously seized from illegal miners in the Tano Anwia Forest Reserve have been released to the 44 Engineers Regiment for road construction, following a formal request from government.

In a statement on the matter, the Commission said the equipment in question was part of machines retrieved from galamsey operators in the forest reserve last year.

It explained that the release was done to support ongoing government road projects being undertaken by the 44 Engineers Regiment.

The Commission further disclosed that it has already gone to court to seek an order for the confiscation of the excavators to the state.

According to the statement, an interlocutory injunction issued by the Sefwi Wiawso High Court, which sought to bar the release of the machines until the case is heard, is not binding on the Commission.

The Forestry Commission argued that the injunction did not come from a higher court and cannot be seen to have quashed the earlier order for the items to be confiscated to the state.

It added that it is monitoring the situation to confirm that the excavators are indeed being used for the purpose for which they were released.

The clarification comes amid public concern over the handling of equipment seized from illegal mining sites across the country.