Tremor Concerns: We’re Blasting In Strict Compliance With Law And Safety Protocols - Chinese Company Reacts

Management of the Chinese Firm, Sunda International Group says it is strictly operating within the law and with the consent of property owners at Bortianor near Accra in the blasting of rocks within the enclave.

The Firm which is levelling a portion of land acquired for the construction of the biggest detergent factory in Africa, says it has no intention of endangering the lives of people living in and around the blasting site, insisting it is operating under strict supervision and in compliance with directives by the Environmental Protection Agency and the Minerals Commission.

Some Residents of Bortianor, Redtop, Westhills City, Aplaku, Old Barrier and Weija SCC have raised concern over the activities of the Chinese contractors in the area.

According to them, recent activities of a Chinese-owned company has been causing artificial earthquakes and tremors in the enclave.

Chairman of the Westhills City Landlords and Residents Association, Reverend Antwi Wiredu said residents in the area had taken to believing that earthquakes had become rampant in the area.

An investigation from the community leaders discovered that construction work at a site in the area could be the cause of the tremors.

But the management of the Saunda has sought to discredit the claims by setting out the facts of the matter.

According to the Assistant Project Manager of Sunda, Richard Awusi Adinkrah, the company since its entry into the enclave has maintained a good relationship with the inhabitants and is focused on maintaining it.

He revealed that residents in the aforementioned enclave are given prior notice of all exercises assiciated with the blasting of rocks, adding that in instances where structural damages occur to properties, the company even takes up the responsibility of assessing and addressing it.

"What we are doing is levelling the land so we can put up a factory and because part of the land is rocky we have acquired the license to blast and we have also employed technology such that when we blast there will not be stones flying but we admit that the impact of the blasting cause some damage and in this case cracks to buildings and in some instance damage to electronic gadgets mostly television sets.

"But before we undertake any blast which is usually between 4:30 to 6 pm we announce to the community to be on the lookout and once it’s done we go around the community to check the damage and also people with identified cracks also report to us and we quickly attend to it," Mr Adinkra indicated.

According to him, Sunda will continue to listen to the concerns of the community and address them where necessary.

"...we have millions of dollars in investment and we have no intention of creating animosity between us and our host and that is why we go all out to help and as I speak most of our employees are from here, we have constructed inner roads, market places so you can see we have the interest of the community at heart," he added.