Residents of Adina have raised concerns over the activities of the foreign salt mining company which they say was affecting access to potable water and their livelihood.

[contextly_sidebar id=”ytoyJzirU66bNaGX5FQifU2xMgwkdngV”]Following Citi News‘ reports, the Minister for Lands and Natural Resources intervened by advising the company to stop drilling water underground for production.

His directive came in at the time when the regional security council together with the peace council formed a mediation committee of stakeholders to address the issue.

This however didn’t go down well with the supposed Paramount Chief who threatened to withdraw from the process.

His comments were discounted today [Tuesday], by the warlord and other members of the traditional area in Hedzranawo, who say the acclaimed Paramount chief does not represent the stance of the traditional area.

The warlord also said the legitimacy of Togbui Adama is being contended at the regional House of Chiefs, thus the traditional area does not recognize him as the Paramount Chief.

The warlord further backed the directives of the Minister and assured the government of their commitment in ironing out the differences.

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By: King Nobert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

The post Adina: Somey warlord backs gov’t action against salt mining firm appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The company has further been ordered to, within two weeks, look for alternative sources of water.

This follows a report by Citi  News, which brought to the fore challenges confronting the locals in Adina and surrounding towns.

Mr. Amewu, who spoke moments after paying a working visit to Adina and its surrounding towns, stated that the community had genuine concerns which needed to be addressed.

“I have ordered that the company should stop extracting underground water for its operations and find alternative sources because the concerns raised by the residents cannot be swept under the carpet. The company has even admitted that it has not fulfilled most of the promises made to the locals, one of which includes using sea water for its operations and not underground water.”

Mr Amewu further stated that, he would get the assembly members and chiefs involved so that the company can lay their pipes and bring water from the sea.

Concerns from community

Residents at Adina, said Kensington, which had been mining salt from the lagoon in the area since 2011, had failed to comply with the agreed terms of engagement.

They said the firm’s failure to source sea water for its operations, had resulted in their wells and the lagoon drying up, which the adjourning communities, including, Agbozume, Klikor and Adina rely on for fishing.

They further stated that, the activities of the company had led to their coconut trees dying and the salty nature of their drinking water.

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By  Pearl Akanya Ofori and King Norbert Akpablie.

The post Adina: Amewu orders Indian salt mining firm to stop drilling for water appeared first on Citi 97.3 FM - Relevant Radio. Always.

The residents there are accusing Kensington of drying up their wells and destroying their water bodies with their operations.

The residents in these communities who share the same lagoon with residents of Adina, are blaming the company for drilling water underground instead of drawing from the sea; which has resulted in the reduction of water at the water table that feeds their wells and lagoons.

Speaking to Citi News, some of the demonstrators called on government to help evacuate the company from the area.

One Ernest Lumor lamented that, the sea sometimes floods its boundaries due to activities of the company.

“The man came to our land, we were not informed and now the man is using the sea. Because of that, we have the sea covering our walls. Now we don’t have good water, our coconut trees are dying, we have too high temperature hence we are all feeling uncomfortable in the area. So now we want everyone to know that we are sacking the Whiteman and the job he is bringing. We have had this salt here always, but we are not seeing any benefit from the new salt he is producing,” he added.

Another resident, Mensah Lawson Kofi, said “as I speak, there is no water in our wells, during rainy season, our source of water is the wells, but it has not rained here for some time now.”

“We are demonstrating to petition the government to come to our aid because although our politicians promise to come to our rescue, they don’t honour their promises when we vote for them. We want government to help remove this mining company from this community. If a company is in your community, it comes with development, but we are not seeing any developmental projects in our community. They are also not going according to the contract they signed with our chiefs.”

It would be recalled that some weeks ago, angry Adina residents attacked staff of the company, leading to the death of one of the angry youth.

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By: King Norbert Akpablie/citifmonline.com/Ghana

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