News:
Samuel Abdulai Jinapor
January 26, 2022
Minister for Lands and Natural Resource Samuel Abu Jinapor has revealed that Government would from next week inaugurate a ministerial Committee of technocrats to conduct an enquiry not only into the Apiate explosion and disaster.
According to him their work would move into the whole issue of health and safety in the mining industry in Ghana for a recommendation to be made and implemented which would address the issues of health and safety. “Our country is to be a health and safety place when it comes to mining”.
He made this revelation at a press briefing on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 when he made a statement on the floor of the House with regards to the Apiate explosion.
As to whether government is not having a kneejerk reaction to the situation, has described by the Minority Leader Haruna Iddrisu particularly regarding the suspension of the companies involve, he responded by saying that all over the world when there is a disaster the standard practice is to suspend the company involve for investigation to take place.
“When issues like this happen there is the need for the broader interrogation so that we can learn the useful lessons out of the industry, and the larger picture, where are the loop holes and where do we have to tighten the legal regime is there a sufficient policy regime?”
Mr. Abu Jinapor further noted that a five member Committee has been set up with chairperson being Dr. Joyce Ayie to raise the necessary funding to help address the disaster.
According to the Minister the president Nana Akufo-Addo himself has been very instrumental coordinating government efforts, as there has been an intervention and emergency response which has been very swift and robust since the disaster occurred, Thursday, January 20, 2022.
“The president was chairing a cabinet meeting but step out and started the initial coordination of government effort as, we have seen relief items were sent immediately the following day the vice president led a government delegation led by the Vice President, Information, Interior and Lands and Natural Resources Minister”.
He added that far reaching steps have been taken by suspending the operations of Maxam Ghana Ltd, which the company responsible for the explosives and the chief inspector of the mines had been interdicted for credible and standard investigation to be carried out.
Government, he said is fully on top of this matter and the president has made a commitment that government is going to mobilize all the resources to support the victims and to reconstruct a community and build a modern community for the people.
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/Ghanamps.com