Minister of Transport, Joseph Nikpe Bukari, says the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA) has commenced the registration and installation of tracking devices on all excavators and other earth-moving equipment across the country.

According to him, the move is aimed at curbing the increasing use of such machinery in illegal mining activities.

“DVLA has embarked on registering all excavators and earth-moving equipment. Hitherto, it was not like that. Now trackers are put on them, so should we find any of such equipment at any galamsey site, we will know the owner and come for you,” the Minister cautioned.

He said this on Joy FM's Top Story on Wednesday, September 10, on the back of a JoyNews' Research that uncovered large-scale night-time clearance of mass excavators at the Tema Port.

The Minister explained that the registration and tracking system will make it easier to trace accountability and ensure that owners of excavators take responsibility for how their equipment is used.

"With DVLA empowered to register and track them, we can now identify whose machines are destroying the environment. If your excavator is seized at a galamsey site, we can trace it back to you and hold you liable for the damage caused,” Mr. Bukari stressed.

The Minister further noted that the country already has enough excavators in circulation, raising concerns about the proliferation of excess machines being diverted for unlawful purposes.