The Minister for Defence, Dominic Nitiwul has disclosed that his Ministry will take a decision as to what to do with the excavators which has been moved from sites into various communities.
Speaking at a presser, he said this came about as the officers deployed disclosed that although a number of excavators were found and destroyed, some illegal miners had moved their mining equipment to nearby communities.
“You can see the excavator in the communities as you are passing. We know that they would want to go back but because we set 100 kilometres [range] they have decided to move it 2 kilometres back. We will take a decision on this.”
Dominic Nitiwul
The Defence Minister further revealed that stakeholders are also in consultation to decide on moving the range set by the operation to increase from the 100 metres to a higher number.
Following the successful fourth phase of the ‘Operation Halt II’, the minister accounted that, three Chinese nationals and their two Ghanaian drivers were arrested. He also disclosed that 592 equipment, structures and tools were seized and destroyed.
“24 excavators, Changfan machines 341,;water pumping machines 123, wooden structures/accommodation 30,; OMB 10, gens sets 6, grinding machines 4, motor bikes 6 and water holes 14 and 30 barrels of fuel. The fuel is what we used in burning the equipment.”
Dominic Nitiwul
Moreover, Mr. Nitiwul stated that the fourth phase saw a slight reduction in number of officers from the original 500 to 420 of all ranks. He said the troops were simultaneously deployed from first infantry battalion,;second battalion, fifth infantry battalion ,143 infantry regiment and support service brigades.
No gold has been seized
Mr. Nitiwul however debunked claims that the deployed officers seized gold from the mining sites. He described the allegations as one that is untrue.
“I have been hearing people forcing the Armed Forces to accept that they have seized things that they have not seized. The Armed Forces have not seized any gold. If they have seized any gold, they will declare it. It is not possible for 420 officers and men to hide anything they have seized; it is simply not possible.”
Dominic Nitiwul
He further noted that these military officials are fully briefed and complying with the rules of engagement laid down by the incumbent government,;therefore, any item confiscated or destroyed is recorded and made known to the general public.
“No officer of the Armed Forces will risk his carrier and;the livelihood of his family because he wants to pick an ounce of gold and hide it. It is not possible. If they have seized gold I would have stated it. They haven’t seized any gold that is why I did not state it.
“The day they will find a quantity of gold or even small pieces of gold,;I will say it. But for now, they have not; we have not seized anything like that, that is why I have not given an update on that particular one.”
Dominic Nitiwul
