The Lands Minister, Samuel Abdulai Jinapor, has instructed the CEO of the Minerals Commission, Martin Kwaku Ayisi, to interdict the Chief Inspector of Mines with immediate effect over the explosion at Apeatse in the Western Region.
In a press statement issued by the Lands Ministry on Friday, the Minister explained that "Pursuant to Regulation 2 of the Minerals and Mining (Explosives) Regulations, 2012, (LI 2177), the Chief Inspector of Mines is the chief inspector of explosives, and is responsible for the supervision of the manufacture, storage, transportation, and use of explosives for mining and mine support services."
Therefore, Richard Kofi Adjei is to be interdicted pending investigations.
Mr Abu Jinapor again directed that the Mineral's Commission boss suspends its registration of Maxam Company Limited.
This government believes will thereby preclude the company from the manufacture, transportation and/or supply of explosives for mining operations for mining pending the outcome of the investigations.
The Lands Ministry assured the general public that "ongoing investigations will be thorough and comprehensive and any public official found culpable will be made to face the full rigours of the law."
Meanwhile, the Police has provided an update on the number of casualties resulting from the explosion.
According to the Director of Public Affairs of the Service, officially, 190 casualties were recorded by the National Ambulance Service and allied agencies.
“Out of that, 13 are certified to be dead; it is not 17,” he said.
ACP Kwesi Ofori said four victims are reported to be in critical condition at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH).
“Initially, due to their condition, it was misreported that they were dead but were taken to the hospital, the medical officers certified that they were not clinically dead. As such, they were admitted, and treatment is ongoing,” he stated.
He revealed that 36 people have been admitted to various hospitals.
Latest Stories
-
We want to play at the 2025 U-20 World Cup – Black Satellites coach Desmond Ofei
9 mins -
10,720 housing units under development to address housing deficit – Kojo Oppong Nkrumah
27 mins -
Study finds 2 household chemicals linked to autism and multiple sclerosis risk
29 mins -
French school head resigns over Paris veil row and death threats
34 mins -
No lives were lost during last Tuesday’s ‘dumsor’ – Tema General Hospital
44 mins -
Today’s front pages: Thursday, March 28, 2024
49 mins -
Association of Service Providers of the Angolan Oil and Gas Industry (AECIPA) Partners with Angola Oil & Gas (AOG) 2024: Members Offered Exclusive Discounts
53 mins -
GPL 2023/24: Ignore reports of imminent sacking of Prosper Ogum – Kotoko IMC
1 hour -
The Meeting with the Egyptian African Businessmen’s Association
1 hour -
Akufo-Addo accepts Oteng-Gyasi’s resignation as GRA Board Chair
2 hours -
It’s shameful we can’t mobilise resources locally to purchase cocoa – Agric Economist
6 hours -
Cocobod attributes low production of cocoa beans to bad weather
7 hours -
AGI to partner GCTU to strengthen industry-academia relationship
7 hours -
French school head resigns over Paris veil row and death threats
8 hours -
Son of Guinea-Bissau’s ex-president jailed in US for trafficking drugs to fund coup
8 hours