The Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority (DVLA), Julius Neequaye Kotey, has announced that the Authority will begin operations to clamp down on unregistered excavators starting 1st July.

Speaking on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show, Mr Kotey said, “Two or three weeks ago, I held a press conference to inform all excavator owners and contractors about the need to register their machines. So far, so good. I am still encouraging them.”

He revealed that he has held meetings with the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in preparation for the upcoming enforcement exercise.

“We have agreed that from 1st July, we will begin operations.”

Mr Kotey disclosed that a total of 5,902 excavators have already been registered across the country. He provided the following breakdown from DVLA offices nationwide:

Haatso – 1,705
Kumasi – 252
Tema – 2,327
Weija – 893
Koforidua – 215
Takoradi – 70
Tamale – 43

Bolgatanga -8
Wa – 28
Techiman – 45
Kotunse – 24
Sunyani – 18
Cape Coast – 3
Obuasi – 100
Tarkwa – 13
Ho – 3
Bekwai – 8
Nkawkaw – 16
Winneba – 8
Axim – 4
Wenchi – 18
Sefwi Wiaso – 1
Mampong – 14
Bole – 0
Agona – 0
Adenta – 4
Head Office – 0
Accra (Spintex) – 3
Akatsi – 3
Kintampo – 7
Akyem Oda – 28
Somanya – 1
Offinso – 4

Guaso- 0
Dunkwa – 24
Hohoe – 0
Denu – 8
Effiduase -2

Mr Kotey added that the DVLA has been collaborating with several key institutions, including the IGP, Director-General of the CID, the Commissioner of Customs, the Ministry of Transport, the Minerals Commission, and the Ports and Harbours Authority.

He explained that before any excavator can be registered, the company must first obtain clearance from the Minister for Transport.

“We will not register any excavator until the Minister gives us clearance. Once clearance is granted, the Minister informs us, stating which company has been approved for registration, and then we proceed.”

He further revealed that when the DVLA began its excavator registration project, it was discovered that none of the machines previously seized from illegal mining sites had been registered with the Authority.

“Do you know that all the excavators that were arrested or seized from sites were absolutely unregistered with the DVLA?”

He added that with the current registration system in place, it is now easier to trace any excavator found on-site back to its importer or owner.

“Now that we have registered 5,902 excavators, if we find one on a site, we can trace it easily and know who imported it or who owns it. That is a very effective way of fighting galamsey.”

Mr Kotey concluded by stressing the importance of the initiative in the fight against illegal mining.

“People are destroying our water bodies. We must fight galamsey.”