We are in support of the fight against galamsey

Member of the Legal team of the opposition National Democratic Congress(NDC),has said the NDC and its members are in support of government renew effort to clamp down on illegal mining activities eroding the country of its arable lands and destroying water bodies.

He however, noted what they were against as a party was the burning of mining equipment seize in the operation meant to curtail the illegal activities.

“When we speak about lawlessness, we are not saying that we do not support the fight against galamsey, we are all in support of the fight against galamsey but we are against the burning of the equipment, for God sake the laws have provided for how these equipment can be dealt with”.

The NDC politician was speaking on TV3 NewDay on Friday, May 28, monitored by GhanaPlus.com.

Go to court if you don’t agree with galamsey fight

He was contributing to discussion on a statement made by the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo over the burning of galamsey equipment including excavators worth millions of cedis by the Military in the second face of the galamsey fight themed “Operation Halt” after unsuccessful attempt in his first term in office.

The President Akufo-Addo asked persons who disagree with the current approach to fight the illegal mining activities to seek redress at the law courts.

“I know there are some who believe that the ongoing battle to rid our water bodies and forest zones of harmful equipment and machinery is unlawful and in some cases harsh,” he said.

“I strongly disagree, and I would advise those who take a contrary view to go to court to vindicate their position if they so wish…that is what the rule of law is all about,” the President said.

Minerals and Mining act does not support burning of excavators

Mr Amaliba said the country’s laws provide sufficient remedies with which the seized equipment could be use to the benefit of the state adding burning was not part of those remedies provided under the law.

He explained the remedies provided under Minerals and Mining act this way;

“The laws have provided that when you seize the equipment, you send it to the Police, the Police will keep them. The Court makes an order as to how the equipment s can be use. Within a period of time the Minister of lands and Natural resource will then make an order that these equipment must be given to this state institute so maybe the district assemblies can be allowed to use”.

“That what we are talking about, the laws have provided sufficient punishment or remedies as to how to use the equipment. Am saying that nowhere in the minerals and mining act that say that you can burn equipment I don’t know why people don’t understand that,” he added.

Source: GhanaPlus.com