The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) of Obuasi East, Adzowu Kofi William, has raised serious concerns about the deteriorating state of the Jimi River, which he says has been heavily polluted by illegal mining activities along its banks.
According to him, AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) has repeatedly expressed worry over the high turbidity levels of the river, a development that poses both environmental and operational challenges.
Speaking to the media during the commissioning of the Pomposo footbridge by the Underground Mining Alliance, the MCE announced that his office, in collaboration with the Municipal Security Council (MESEC) and AGA, will soon roll out a major operation to evict all illegal miners from the riverside.
“I’ve taken it upon myself as MCE. At our last MESEC meeting, we put measures in place and actually drew up a budget because AGA has been complaining that the turbidity level of the Jimi River is very high.
“So, we have developed a programme, and they have given us key performance indicators to make sure we follow through and implement this particular operation.
“We have decided to carry it out in two or three phases. For the first phase, AGA has agreed to share the cost with us. Those working illegally on the river must be removed, just as the President has said — no one should work in water bodies or forest reserves. We need to comply with that, and that is exactly why we have put this budget together,” he said.
Mr. William further disclosed that preparations are far advanced and the exercise is expected to begin in November.
“AGA is ready to support us, and we are equally prepared. Hopefully, by November, we should be able to embark on these exercises to ensure that we remove all those operating along the rivers, so that we can have clean water to drink and also protect our forests from destruction,” he added.
