Deputy Minister for Lands and Natural Resources and Chairman of the Appiatse Reconstruction Implementation Committee, Benito Owusu-Bio, has stated it is not for government to compensate victims of the Appiatse explosion incident.
The Ministry, he said, is nonetheless, committed, through the Appiatse Support Fund, to raise enough funds to reconstruct the community and support the victims of the incident transparently and with the highest standards of integrity.
“As the Committee has reiterated on countless occasions, all these measures are being taken without prejudice to the right of any person to seek any lawful remedy, including the payment of compensation.”
The Deputy Minister was responding to calls by former President John Dramani Mahama regarding the payment of compensation by the government to the victims of the disaster.
According to him, the preoccupation of the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources since the incident has been to provide emergency relief to support victims, investigate the matter and apply the necessary sanctions to prevent its recurrence, and reconstruct the community to give the victims the dignity of life they deserve.
The Ministry, he said, is working with relevant agencies, provided emergency relief to the victims, and has now moved them from the tents which initially housed them to a temporary accommodation pending the reconstruction of the community and that the medical bills of all the injured are being borne by Government.
“The incident has been investigated, leading to a review of the entire health and safety standards in the mining industry. The reconstruction of the community is also progressing steadily, with the selection of contractors and mobilisation to site.”
“The Appiatse incident was very tragic, and we call on all to approach it devoid of any partisan politics. The Committee will continue to work with the Ministry as well as the chiefs and people of the community to ensure the speedy completion of the reconstruction of the community,” he added.
Hon. Owusu-Bio thanked the former President for his visit and the donation to the community and applauded the former President’s commendation of the work Government has done in the community since the tragic incident.
He appealed to the general public to continue to donate to the Appiatse Support Fund to help raise enough funds to complete the reconstruction and support the community.