Residents of Ngyerisia bemoans quarry operator's activities

The activities of JUSTMAC Quarry at Ngyerisia in the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis is causing serious environmental havoc and damage to buildings of residents and communities close to the quarry site.

The communities most affected by the heavy blasting of the quarry operator include Mpintsin, Esipong and Ngyerisia which had experienced noise, dust and health hazards as well as damage to buildings for the past two years.

To this effect, Mpintsin Community Association petitioned the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), the Environmental Protection Agency and the Minerals Commission in March last year for redress.

The EPA set up a committee which was made up of representatives from the Minerals Commission, STMA, assembly members of the affected communities and EPA to investigate the concerns raised by the residents.

Mr Horatius Crossfield Bruce, Assembly Member of Mpintsin Electoral Area, told the Ghana News Agency on Friday that the Committee presented its report to the Western Regional Minister last Wednesday, August 13.

He said it did not recommend to the company to repair buildings of residents that had been damaged as a result of the activities of the company.

He disputed an argument put up by a structural engineer who was appointed to inspect the damaged buildings that the damage were not as a result of the company's blasting but due to structural defects.