Kofi Job Construction has denied allegations that lives were lost during a demolition exercise at the company’s quarry site.

According to the company, no deaths were recorded on the day of the demolition, contrary to claims circulating in some media circles.

The company’s Acting Public Relations Officer, Kwame Agyenim Boateng, made the clarification during a press briefing on Friday.

No deaths recorded

Agyenim Boateng said the houses demolished were uncompleted and had no occupants.

He noted that every structure was thoroughly inspected to ensure that no one was inside before the demolition exercise was carried out.

“The few structures which had human occupants were left out to allow the occupants to move out,” he said.

Demolition to protect lives

He explained that the demolition became necessary to protect human lives.

Agyenim Boateng emphasised that some developers had illegally encroached on the quarry’s buffer zone by constructing buildings very close to the operational area, a situation he said endangered their lives.

He added that blasting activities at the quarry could cause serious harm if people were allowed to live within the buffer zone.

According to him, the quarry had been operating for years without any development within the buffer zone until recently.

Developers warned repeatedly

He further stated that individuals who had developed properties within the buffer zone were repeatedly warned to stay away but ignored the warnings.

He added that the developers did not have the necessary documents authorising them to develop the land.

According to him, they had no lease, building permit, site plan or allocation documents, making their developments illegal.

Opinion leader confirms buffer zone ownership

Recounting the history of the area, an opinion leader at Kona, who is also the District Best Farmer in Sekyere South, Agyen Brefo, said Kofi Job Construction’s ownership of the buffer zone was public knowledge.

He noted that farmers in the area were aware that the land was a buffer zone but ignored the restrictions and proceeded to develop it.

He added that quarry operations had been ongoing in the area long before some individuals decided to put up structures there, describing the development as worrying.

He described the construction activities as illegal and dangerous and called on all developers to halt their work.

However, he expressed concern about the demolition exercise and appealed to Kofi Job Construction to meet the affected developers halfway.

Company open to dialogue

Meanwhile, Agyenim Boateng said the company sympathised with the affected developers and remained open to discussions to resolve the situation.

“We sympathise with the affected developers, and our doors are open for a round-table discussion to calm the situation down,” he stated.

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