Illegal mining activities re-surface around Bui dam

Nana Kwadwo Wuo II, the Chief of Bui in the Banda District of the Brong-Ahafo Region on Wednesday said illegal mining has re-surfaced in the area.

He said concerted effort is urgently required to halt the practice, saying the uncontrolled activities of the miners threatened the Bui dam.

Nana Wuo II raised the concerns when the Bui Power Authority (BPA), the managers of the dam presented land and housing documentation to the various heads of households resettled at the BPA Resettlement Townships in the Banda and Bole Districts of the Brong-Ahafo and Northern Regions.

The Chief observed that because the illegal miners were having a field day, several others were gradually moving into the area, adding that their activities were causing massive degradation within the enclave.

Nana Wuo said the Bui National Park was also in danger because some of the miners and illegal loggers had started operating within the shoulders of the park.

He said though some Navy personnel were patrolling the Black Volta, the activities of the miners seemed insurmountable and appealed to the government to intensify measures to control the situation until the dam is affected.

Nana Wuo reminded the BPA of the other projects which were designed alongside with the dam, particularly the irrigation, eco-tourism and the Bui City projects.

These projects, the chief said had great potential to add economic value to the livelihood of the local dwellers, and called on the government to expedite action for the construction work to commence on those projects.

Nana Wuo II said population was gradually increasing in the resettlement camps, underlining the need for the BPA to implement its alternative livelihood economic empowerment programme to improve on the livelihood of the teeming unemployed youth at the camps.

Mr Fred Oware, the Chief Executive Officer of the BPA, expressed discomfort at the activities of the illegal miners and assured that the Authority would collaborate with relevant institutions to clamp down on them.

He said the Bui dam remained a national asset, hence the need for the general public to support in preserving it.

Mr Oware said the BPA was collaborating with the Ministry of Finance and other stakeholders for the payment of land compensation to affected families and individuals and entreated the people to remain patient.

Madam Mary Konne, the Banda District Chief Executive, lauded the cordial relationship between the local dwellers and the BPA and assured that the District Assembly would also ensure the resettlement camps benefited from development projects.

The Bui hydro electric project was designed primarily for hydro-power generation. It however includes the development of an irrigation scheme for agriculture development and presents an opportunity for enhanced eco-system and fisheries.

It also comprises a resettlement and community support programme.

The project, which was expected to cost about 622 million dollars, was funded with a concessional loan of 263.5 million dollars from China, a buyer’s credit of 298.5 million dollars from the EXIM Bank of China together with government’s contribution of 60 million dollars.

It however experienced a funding shortfall of 168 million dollars, arising primarily from the unanticipated effects of the 2008 global financial upheavals as well as unforeseen essential works.