MMDAs must stop illegalities to ensure socio-economic growth – Minister

Mr Ebenezer K. T. Addo, Western Regional Minister, on Thursday admonished metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the region to enforce government directive to flush out all illegal activities to promote the socio-economic growth of their areas.

He assured the Chief Executives of the full support of the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) to implement government decisions so long as they act in compliance with the law.

The Minister gave the advice at the last meeting with the Chief Executives from the 22 MMDAS  in the region and heads of departments in Sekondi.

The meeting discussed issues bordering on illegal mining activities commonly known as galamsey, authorized land allocation, frequent motor accidents, and the deplorable road networks among other concerns, that impact negatively on the socio economic growth of the region.

The Minister regretted about how illegal mining was polluting the river bodies, depleting the environment and land litigation depriving the citizenry from contributing their desired output as well as denying them of their livelihood.

“You must rise from your slumber and inertia and work harder to relieve our people from poverty and deprivation”, the Regional Minister told them.

He said the Chief Executives would be invited to put across their performance to know those on course.

Mr Anthony Bassaw, District Chief Executive for Mpohor suggested that portion of concession of the mining companies be allocated to the districts for lease to the communities to offer jobs for the youth.

This, he noted, would cease illegal mining as the operation would be regulated and licensed.

Mr Edmund Offei Annor, Regional Director of Highway advised the Chief Executives to ensure that people do not build structures on their way as it leads to cost during road rehabilitation and construction through compensation to displaced people.

Source: GNA