By Samuel ofori Boateng
Bekwai (Ash), July 30, GNA – Residents of Amoamo, Anwiam, Amenase and Adankrangya in the Bekwai municipality of the Ashanti region, have given Day Shine Company Limited, a Chinese-owned quarry company, a one-week ultimatum to address concerns over its blasting activities and environmental degradation issues.
The ultimatum was issued after a peaceful demonstration by residents of the four communities, who accused the company of conducting blasting operations without adequate prior notice, which had resulted in cracks in buildings, injuries and damages to the environment.
The demonstrators, dressed in red and carrying placards with inscriptions such as: “We Are Slaves in Our Own Communities,” “You Devil, Go Away,” “Please Come to Our Aid” and “Aaah, We Dry,” marched through streets in the affected communities before presenting petitions to the management of Day Shine Company Limited, traditional authorities and the Bekwai Municipal Assembly.
Madam Nyhiraba Abigail Opoku, the Assembly Member for the Adankrangya Electoral Area, who led the demonstrators, alleged that repeated blasting by the quarry company had caused cracks in residential buildings and injured some residents.
She claimed that despite the alleged damage and injuries, affected residents had not received compensation or adequate assistance from the company.
Ashe said the concerns extended beyond blasting and building damage, as residents also alleged that the company’s operations had adversely affected the local environment and farming activities.
She said water bodies in the area had been polluted, farmlands destroyed and crops contaminated by chemicals, resulting in difficulties for farmers whose livelihoods depended largely on agriculture.
Madam Opoku appealed to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, the government and relevant regulatory agencies, to investigate the concerns raised by the communities and take appropriate measures to protect lives, property and the environment.
She said the residents were not opposed to development but wanted quarrying activities to be conducted in a manner that would protect the health, safety and livelihoods of people living in surrounding communities.
The Assembly Member said the affected communities had given Day Shine Company Limited one week to respond to their concerns and take steps to address the issues raised.
She warned that should the company fail to respond within the stipulated period, the residents would petition the Asantehene at the Manhyia Palace to seek further intervention.
Some of the demonstrators also alleged that certain traditional authorities had attempted to frustrate their planned protest.
They therefore, called for an independent investigation into the allegations, including the circumstances surrounding the establishment and operations of quarry companies in the area.
The residents said they expected the relevant authorities to ensure that quarrying activities complied with environmental, safety and other regulatory requirements.
Mr Philimon Ankoli, the Bekwai Municipal Coordinator Director, who received the petition on behalf of the Assembly, assured the residents that the Municipal Assembly would engage the appropriate institutions over the concerns raised.
He said the Assembly would consult the relevant stakeholders and provide feedback to the affected communities after the necessary engagements.
GNA
Edited by Kwabia Owusu-Mensah/ Christabel Addo