Sand and stone contractors in the Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions on Wednesday asked government to decentralize the issuing of sand and stone winning permits. The contractors recounted the cumbersome procedures in obtaining permit before winning sand and stones, saying these had led to some persons engaging in illegal sand and stone winning in some areas. The contractors urged government to grant their task force legal backing to apprehend people who engaged in illegal sand and stone winning. At a dialogue in Accra dubbed: "Advocate for Decentralization of Sand and Stone Winning", Mr Peter Kwame Donkor, Chairman, Association of Sand and Stone, GPRTU and PROTOA (ASGP), noted that if the issuing of permits were decentralized, they would be issued faster. He expressed the readiness of the association to work hand-in-hand with government to streamline their activities. Mr Donkor said the association was made up of 2,011 individuals who were playing significant roles in terms of supplying sand and stone to the construction industry, providing employment and developing the private sector. "Members of the association, particularly those from the Ashanti Region, have to travel several times to Accra to secure the necessary documents before one can operate as sand and stone contractor." Mr Donkor noted that there had been a decline in its membership because of the cumbersome procedure in obtaining permits. Mr Jonathan Ahenkorah, Principal Inspector of Mines, Mineral Commission, said contractors could begin processing their documents in the regions. Mr Ahenkorah said the delay in the processing permits could be reduced if members acquired concession without litigation, adding, "Renewal of some permits could be done in the regions." He noted that some of the lands proposed for sand winning were stool lands or those that belonged to families. Mr Ahenkroah said the Commission had put in place an Industrial Mineral Task Force, which was going round to apprehend offenders without industrial waybills, adding that there had been instances where they also slapped on the spot fines to offenders. He suggested to the association to procure large concessions in a demarcated area and distribute them to members to flush out illegal operators. Mr Ellis Paul Atigah a Principal Planning and Policy Officer of the Minerals Commission reminded members of the association of Act 703 which only gives the Minister for Lands Forestry and Mines the mandate to issue permits for sand and stone winning activities. Taking members through the procedure of procuring permits, Mr Atigah urged them to submit relevant documents and provide accurate information to speed up processing of their permits. Messrs Ahinkorah and Atigah were later presented with copies of the association's proposal. Source: GNA