Jinapor Gives Directive For Excavators To Be Registered Within 7 Weeks

The Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has given a directive for all excavators in the country to be registered.

This, he said, is in accordance with one of the resolutions adopted during a National Consultative Dialogue in April last year.

“The Ministry of Lands and Natural resources will take appropriate steps, legislative and/ executive action as the case may be to give effect to the set measures arising from this dialogue and approved by government”, the minister referenced.

According to him, the devastation of forest reserves and water bodies is caused by excavators and Changfans used in illegal mining activities.

Due to that, owners of excavators have been given up to November 2 to get the machines registered with Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDA) within the jurisdiction where it is located.

“An owner, operator, or user shall at the time of registration, specify the purpose under which the excavator is being used or to be used and the area where the excavator is being used or will be used as the case may be”.

Registration Details
A registrant shall provide for the registration of an excavator, the name and particulars of the owner, the date the excavator was bought into the country, the registration number, the chassis number of the excavator and the purpose for which the excavator was bought into the country.

Also, the registrant must name the area where the excavator will be used and any other information that the MMDA will deem relevant.

Penalty
Jinapor has noted that the Minister for Local Government and Decentralisation, Dan Botwe has been notified to deliver the directive to MMDCEs across the country for strict compliance.

All unregistered excavators will be confiscated after the deadline for the registration elapses, the Minister noted.

Changfan
For Changfans, the Ministry has already issued a ban on its purchase, sale and use across the country.

Renewed Fight Against Illegal Mining

This comes in the renewed fight against illegal mining, otherwise known as galamsey in the country.

On October 13, Jinapor announced the relaunch of Operation Halt II, a military operation that clamps down on illegal mining on various water bodies and in forest reserves in Ghana.

Among the other measures adopted by the government, he said, include the declaration of river bodies as red zones for mining; suspension of reconnaissance and prospecting activities in forest reserves except in exceptional cases; and the banning of the manufacture, sale and use of changfan.

Also are the procurement of speed boats to patrol the rivers; recruitment of river guards to support the protection of the rivers; introduction of mercury-free gold Katchas; establishment of 83 Small Scale Mining Committees in all mining districts in the country; revamping of Community Mining Schemes; and the introduction of the National Alternative Employment and Livelihood Programme, the Graphic Online reported.

Additionally, the new measures empower military personnel undertaking Operation Halt II to do so at their discretion and without interference.

Chiefs will now play key roles in the issuance of mining licences.

Source: opemsuo.com/Hajara Fuseini