Minister seizes equipment of Engineers and Planners

Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah has seized some heavy-duty equipment belonging to Engineers and Planners.

The minister said he will only release the equipment if the company belonging to Ibrahim Mahama, brother of former President John Mahama is able to provide him with the necessary documents granting them permission to work at a bauxite concession at Nyinahim in the Atwima Mponua District of the Ashanti Region.

The company has since claimed that it has permission from the Minister of Lands and Water Resources, Peter Amewu and the Forestry Commission to operate.

But speaking on Asempa FM’s Ekosii Sen programme Monday, Osei-Mensah said that he is yet to see those documents.
“I don’t work with verbal communications, I need documents and until then, I will not release the machines” he stressed.
“I want to get the documents, commit the Lands Minister so that if something happens, he [Amewu] will be blamed” he added.
He argued that such permissions may affect the fight against illegal mining in the country.

But the Communications Director of Engineers and Planners, Samuel Genfi said he is surprised at the conduct of the Ashanti Regional Minister.
He insisted that his outfit has satisfied all requirements backed by law since May 13, 2013, and hence Osei-Mensah cannot claim not to have any idea about it.