Dr. Murtala Mohammed, the Environment, Science, and Technology Minister, has denied allegations that the government has not been successful in combating illegal mining, or galamsey.
He claims that the administration of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) has only been in power for two months and has barely finished selecting ministers.
Dr. Mohammed said in an interview with JoyNews PM Express on Monday, March 10, that it is unjust to evaluate the government’s success on galamsey given that the nation has been battling the problem for the last eight years.
He clarified that the current Legislative Instrument (L.I.) regulating mining is already being repealed.
According to Dr. Mohammed, the government is just halfway through the 120-day term that President John Mahama promised to address illegal mining.
“We have started the process to repeal the L.I. President Mahama made these promises anchored on 120 days. He said that within 120 days, I will do A, B, C, D. We’re on just a little over 60 days,” he reiterated.
He disclosed that the procedure was started by his ministry two weeks ago, not long after he took office.
“As I talk to you, the L.I. ought to be initiated from the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology. We started the process two weeks ago, barely a week after I was sworn in. I signed a letter to the Ministry of Justice and Attorney-General.”
“The Ministry looked at it and did what they needed to do, and returned the letter to me for another one to be signed, which I signed last Thursday,” he stated.
Additionally, he chastised anyone who voiced concerns without first obtaining correct information from his ministry.
Depending on the parliamentary calendar, Dr. Mohammed promised that the bill to repeal the L.I. will be presented to Parliament shortly, perhaps even this week.
“It can happen this week. It can even happen tomorrow because we have budgets to be read. But one thing I can tell you is that it will happen as soon as possible,” he stated.
The minister emphasized that all commitments made within the allotted 120 days will be delivered on schedule and reiterated the government’s commitment to keeping President Mahama’s promise.
“We made a promise, and it was part of the 120-day promises President Mahama made. Wait and see whether it will be delivered within that,” he assured.
Source: newsthemegh.com