The residents in the Central Gonja District of the Northern Region are unhappy about the failure of Savanna Diamond Cement (SAVACEM) to fulfill its promises in line with the company’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
According to them, the company’s management promised projects including health facilities but nothing has been accomplished so far.
The Indian-owned cement manufacturing company has been in existence for some years now but residents in the community where the company operates are angry at the development[contextly_sidebar id=”XqeuHCxMcFO2gTORw21twrwGDnatV3An”].
At a public hearing on a proposed limestone mining site at Yakombo, the residents challenged the company show them any physical infrastructure in the area they claim to have invested it, including the supposed allocation of 800 bags of cement to disaster victims.
The Queen mother of the Buipe Bridge Traders Association, Madam Balkisu said activities of SAVACEM had adversely affected fruits cultivation in the area.
She decried the wanton destruction of shea trees and the pollution of water bodies in the area.
Madam Balkisu thus admonished the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to check the company’s activities.
General Manager of SAVACEM, Buddha Ven Kata Krishnama-Rajo reiterated management’s pledge to fulfill all its promises.
He maintained that Corporate Social Responsibility was vital on management’s development agenda.
Krishnama-Rajo further revealed the company’s intention to spend $6 million on the reclamation of the proposed mining site at Yakombo.
He gave the assurance that the project will not affect the Shea nut industry which he admitted is the economic mainstay of women in the Central Gonja District.
The EPA’s Northern Regional Director, Abu Iddrisu said his outfit remained resolute in enforcing laws on environmental conservation.
“The EPA is required under the regulations 16(1) of the environmental assessment regulations, 1999 (LI 1652) and section 12(1) of the Environmental protection Agency Act, 1994 act (490),” Abu Iddrisu explained.
He however implored residents there to be environmental friendly and stop activities which deplete the vegetative cover.
By: Abdul Karim Naatogmah/citifmonline.com/Ghana