754 Nsawam Residents Sue Quarry Firms and State Institutions Over Blasting Damage

More than 750 residents of Nsawam-Adoagyiri have filed a lawsuit against two quarry operators and four state institutions, seeking GH¢13.78 million in compensation for damages caused by blasting activities. The plaintiffs, suing through Lukman Ali Osman, Ali Ibn E. Chambas, and Angela Adu-Poku, claim that Aky Mining Services Limited and Peabo Quarry Limited conducted blasting operations without ensuring the safety of nearby residents. The suit, filed as HR/022/2019, also names the Minister of Interior, the Minerals Commission, the Nsawam-Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly, and the Attorney-General as defendants.

The plaintiffs allege that the quarry operations have caused personal injury and property damage to varying degrees. They argue that the companies failed to take adequate safety precautions when using explosives, resulting in damage to residential buildings, businesses, and other properties in the municipality. The residents also accuse the state institutions of failing to properly supervise the quarry operations, citing their statutory responsibilities to regulate the industry and protect public safety.

The plaintiffs claim that the regulatory failures allowed the quarry operators to use explosives in ways that endangered residents and their properties. They are seeking a declaration that the two quarry companies were negligent in their use of explosives. A compensation schedule attached to the suit lists individual claims by the 754 residents, comprising landlords, tenants, and business operators, with amounts varying from a few hundred cedis to hundreds of thousands of cedis.

The total compensation being demanded is GH¢13,785,695. The plaintiffs are also seeking interest on the amount from the date the writ was issued until final payment. They want the court to award legal fees equivalent to 25 per cent of the total compensation claimed, as well as costs and any other relief the court considers appropriate.

The residents claim that despite repeated demands, the defendants have failed or refused to compensate them for the alleged losses. They argue that this refusal has subjected them to economic hardship and embarrassment, and that court intervention has become necessary to secure compensation. The plaintiffs maintain that the blasting activities have had a significant impact on their lives and livelihoods.

The suit names the Minister of Interior, the Minerals Commission, the Nsawam-Adoagyiri Municipal Assembly, and the Attorney-General as defendants, in addition to the two quarry operators. The plaintiffs argue that these state institutions have a responsibility to regulate the industry and protect public safety, but have failed to do so. They are seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from using the quarry as a storage facility for explosives.

The case is currently before the High Court in Accra, with the plaintiffs seeking justice and compensation for the alleged damages. The court will need to consider the evidence presented and determine the liability of the defendants. The outcome of the case will have implications for the regulation of the quarry industry and the protection of public safety in Ghana.

Key points

• The plaintiffs are seeking GH¢13.78 million in compensation for damages caused by blasting activities.
• The suit also names state institutions, including the Minister of Interior and the Minerals Commission, as defendants.
• The plaintiffs are seeking a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from using the quarry as a storage facility for explosives.