Galamsey: Security taskforce was never told to burn seized excavators - Fatimatu Abubakar

The Minister of Information, Fatimatu Abubakar, has addressed concerns from a segment of the public regarding why the military taskforce burns excavators seized from illegal miners.

A section of the public has, on several occasions, criticised the government for directing the destruction and burning of mining equipment, particularly excavators, when the seized equipment could be used for other purposes.

However, in response to these concerns, Fatimatu Abubakar clarified that the burning of excavators was not part of the mandate given to the military taskforce assigned to eradicate illegal mining on water bodies.

Speaking on Adom FM on Thursday, October 17, 2024, Fatimatu Abubakar stated that the government's directive to the taskforce was to either seize the equipment of illegal miners or to decommission it.

“There was this misinformation claiming the government took a policy to burn excavators but there was noting of that sort. We never gave such policies. The policy we gave them was to seize the equipment or to decommission them so the illegal miners cannot use them again. The burning of the excavators was the sole discretion of the taskforce because they felt it was the easiest way,” she explained.

Supporting the taskforce's decision to burn the equipment, she stated that it would deter and prevent illegal miners from taking parts of the equipment and later returning, unnoticed by the taskforce, to reuse the equipment for their activities.

To reiterate its commitment to the fight against galamsey, the government has deployed logistics to support members of Operation Halt in eliminating mining on water bodies.

MAG/AE

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