The Kwahu-Birim North zone of the Ghana National Scale Miners Association has embarked on a desilting project to prevent floods in the Kwahu West Municipal capital, Nkawkaw.
Speaking to a team of Press men, the Kwahu-Birim North Zonal Chairman of the Small Scale Miners Association, Solomon Otu emphasized that, the desilting forms part of the Association’s corporate social responsibility, therefore, it was imperative on their part to initiate such action.
He added, although it was the plan of the Association, however, the Association did not turn down a proposal brought before it by the Kwahu West Municipal Assembly to assist the Assembly in executing the task.
“We have written to the Assembly, and as part of our corporate social responsibility, we received their proposal with utmost importance to provide them, excavators, in desilting the drains. We saw the need for it because we’re in a rainy season, and we don’t want to hear any tragedy or flood taking over the place”,
“Our motive is that, from what we’re doing, floods will overtake Nkawkaw this time around”, he stated.
The desilting, according to Mr. Otu cost the Association over Gh¢100,000. He added that, although the cost is huge but insisted that, it’s the Corporate responsibility of the Association to support the government and the country at large.
Mr. Otu added that the exercise will spread across Nkawkaw, and it will last for 10 days.
Nkawkaw Trado, ADB area, Timber market and river Nkawkaw have all been desilted so far. The Assembly has also provided Engineers to assist the Association in the exercise.
He disclosed that this is not the first time the Association is embarking on such an exercise. He said, last year, one of the Companies of the Association, TLG mining company desilted Nkawkaw drains for over a month.
This year’s exercise was undertaken by Akroma Gold, TLG mining company and several others.
The Association as part of its corporate responsibilities, has constructed WC public latrines, boreholes and classroom blocks.
On his part, the operations manager for the TLG mining company, Nana Kwaku Osei Agyei who also doubles as the chief of Kwahu Akwaboah reaffirmed the Association’s willingness to assist the Assembly in whichever way.
The Chief, however, refutes claims that Small Scale Miners are illegal miners.
He stated that the call from residents at Kofi Dede, Nkwaakwaasem to construct the dilapidated road in the area is being discussed earnestly.
He disclosed that the project has been stalled due to the rains.
However, he warned that persons encroaching on the concessions of the mining companies should desist from it or face legal action when apprehended.