By Felix Cofie
The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, has described as “moot and uncalled for” the criticisms by the Minority in Parliament over the Barari DV Limited Lithium agreement.
Mr Abu Jinapor, who is also the Member of Parliament for Damongo, said the agreement is one of the best for the country after the Cabinet approved his proposals of increasing not only the royalties to the state from 5 percent to 10 percent but also the state’s free-carried interest from 10 percent to 13 percent.
In a statement by the Sector Minister, it said the Ministry welcomes the public interest and intense scrutiny of transactions for the exploitation and management of the natural resources of the country, as this is the best way of ensuring that these minerals inure to the benefit of the Ghanaian people.
The Ministry, therefore, wishes to reiterate and re-emphasise the circumstances and processes leading to the grant of the mining lease and how the State stands to benefit from this transaction.
The statement said it is, however, important to clarify, from the outset, that neither the Ministry nor the Minister have ever indicated that the company will commence operations in the first quarter of 2024.
In his remarks at the ceremony marking the signing of the Mining Lease, the Minister expressly indicated that the relevant provisions of our national Constitution, as well as all laws and regulatory permits regarding the exploitation of this critical mineral, would be strictly adhered to.
The statement said the terms negotiated by Government with respect to this Mining Lease are one of the best for the exploitation of any mineral on the African continent and beyond, and it is needless to point out that Government shall, without fail, submit this Lease, as it has done with all others, to Parliament in accordance with Article 268 of our national Constitution and the terms of the Mining Lease, for its consideration.
It noted that the Ministry will avail itself of the procedures of Parliament during the ratification process and will be more than ready to justify and/or clarify all the terms agreed to, if necessary.
Furthermore, the statement noted that the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, under the distinguished leadership of President Akufo-Addo, continues to assure the public of its unflinching commitment to the efficient, effective, and sustainable exploitation and management of the natural resources of our country in the spirit of transparency, anchored on integrity and utmost good faith, for the benefit of the Ghanaian people.
