Residents of Patakro, Kwapia and Wioso in the Adansi North District of Ashanti are up in arms against Akosdwomo Quarry Limited currently operating in the area.
The Quarry firm has been accused of causing massive destruction to their household gadgets, cracks in their buildings and compelling them to inhale dust from their operations.
Speaking at a news conference to articulate their concerns, the spokesperson for the communities, Mr. Awuku Addo said the operations of the company have destroyed several farms which owners have still not been compensated.
According to him, dust pollution emanating from the company’s operation is too much to contain and that health implications of dust consumption has started to manifest in most of the residents as they constantly report at hospitals.
Mr. Awuku stated that basic home appliances belonging to several individuals have been damaged from the blasting of rocks not to mention several buildings that have developed cracks.
He said representatives of the communities have petitioned the assembly, the Minerals Commission and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) but they are yet to receive a response.
The spokesperson warned that if nothing is heard from the company after two weeks, they will embark on massive demonstration to demand justice for the sufferings they have been forced to go through from the operations of the company.
Meanwhile, Mr. Owusu Bempah, a representative of the company has described all the allegations as untrue.
With respect to compensation, he said the company did not owe anybody as all compensations had been paid. He said a number of the youth in the area have been employed by the company with the assembly member of Patakro as the PRO of the company.
Mr. Owusu Bempah stated that those whose properties were damaged as a result of the company’s operation, have had them replaced. Mr. Owusu Bempah also said the company swiftly addresses concerns of the communities anytime such complaits come to their attention.
