Business News of Saturday, 5 January 2019

Source: Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources

Government to revoke licences of quarry operators who fail to pay royalties

Lands Minister Kwaku Asoma-Cheremeh in a group photograph with the quarry operations Lands Minister Kwaku Asoma-Cheremeh in a group photograph with the quarry operations

Government has claimed that it will revoke the licences of quarry operators who have failed to pay royalties to the state.

It also stated that it will punish quarry companies who have refused to renew their licence, following the expiration of those licences/permits.

According to the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, such companies should also take immediate steps to pay off their indebtedness with the utility companies; that is Ghana Water and ECG.

Sector Minister, Kwaku Asoma-Cheremeh said this when he met the Commercial Quarry Operators Association of Ghana led by its Chairman Dr. Ebenezer Mireku today.

Quarry Operations in Ghana dates back to over hundred years and many infrastructure projects in Ghana have benefited from the activities of these enterprises.

The Chairman of the Association reiterated the need for government to intensify its support in order to help protect legitimate quarry sites in the country.

There are about 146 registered quarry Concessions in the country with major players located in the Greater Accra, Central and Ashanti Regions and with a common challenge of encroachment.