Collaborate with MMDCEs, Chiefs to halt encroachment on quarry sites — Mireku Duker to quarry operators

The Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources responsible for Mines, Mr George Mireku Duker, has urged licensed quarry operators to collaborate with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and Traditional Authorities to tackle the menace of encroachment on their concessions.

He said effective coordination between the three parties is needed to forestall the illegal activity.

He said this during a working visit to some quarry sites in the Shai Osudoku Municipality in the Greater Accra Region on Monday.

Mr Mireku Duker noted that because the MMDAs issue licenses for the erection of buildings, it is critical that the firms collaborate with them to guarantee that areas allocated for quarry operations are protected and not made available to the public for other purposes.

He said through such agreements, structures and buildings illegally located in quarry sites may be destroyed.

He stated that the government has a responsibility to protect companies that provide employment opportunities for Ghanaians through their legitimate activities, adding that as long as the ministry is satisfied with the companies' operations, it would make personnel and resources available to address their issues.