Prof. Albert A. Tsolu
Managing Director of JSC Mediterranean Ghana Limited, Prof. Albert A. Tsolu, has stated that some recalcitrant illegal sand winners, numbering about 30, have resorted to destroying the ecosystem along the riverbank and contaminating the water source that supplies potable water to communities along the Lower Volta through their illegal activities.
Addressing journalists at a press conference in Accra yesterday, Prof. Tsolu mentioned that these illegal sand winners are broadening and deepening the riverbed to unimaginable level, a practice he described as dangerous to inhabitants that use the river.
He confirmed that following several complaints to the Volta River Authority (VRA) numerous efforts have been made which led to some of the illegal operators suspending their operations while others have refused to observe the directive.
Prof. Tsolu added that their inability to stop their illegal operations is as a result of some contractors, working on government projects, encouraging these illegalities by purchasing river sand from these illegal sand winners.
“This is a disincentive to the project, in the contracts agreement; EKO-H/JSC is to pay 10% gross to VRA for the development of social amenities for the communities where the projects are sited,” he said. “Regrettably these illegal sand winners are doing nothing to help develop the communities.”
Prof. Tsolu also appealed to the government to aid JSC to accelerate the dredging to solve the perennial flooding when the Akosombo and Kpong dams.
“It will be very prudent for stakeholders and the government to take immediate action to wade off these recalcitrant illegal sand winners on the Lower Volta. We remain optimistic that with enhanced support we can accelerate implementation of this critical project to solve the perpetual problem,” he said.
The VRA awarded a tender to EKO-H Mediterranean Ltd., based in Israel, for a period of 10 years to dredge the Lower Volta. The company later became JSC Mediterranean Ghana Ltd.
By Prince Fiifi Yorke