|
Agreement signed for acquisition of land for Bui project
Jama (N/R), March 20, Ghanadot/GNA - The Bui Development
Secretariat and major stakeholders on Wednesday signed
documents for the acquisition of land for the Bui
Development Project.
The event, which took place at Jama in the Northern Region,
would pave the way for the government and its development
partners to have access to a 443,000-acre land needed for
the project.
The government is expected to make adequate and prompt
payment of compensation to the chiefs and people in the
affected areas.
The chiefs from the Bole Traditional Council, however,
expressed dissatisfaction about the non-inclusion of their
representation on the Bui Dam Board to keep them abreast
with events concerning the project.
Naa Jama Kooro, Nana Kwadwo Pambo II, chief of Jama, told
the delegation led by Nana Osahene Kwaku Atekyi II, a member
of the Bui Dam Secretariat, that the inclusion of persons
from the traditional council on the board should not be an
afterthought since the people had to represent their
interest.
He said gone were the days when scholars came to traditional
councils with already prepared documents to compel chiefs to
append their signatures only to regret afterwards.
The chief said there were a lot of environmental problems
associated with the project, adding that it was therefore
necessary for them to examine the environmental impact
report on the project and its effects on the people.
Nana Pambo said the council was not only concerned about
compensation but also interested in matters that would have
major consequence on the lives of the people.
"We are going to trail you to make sure that our interest in
the project is well protected," he emphasised.
Bolewura Amankwa Gbeyeadese II, Paramount Chief of the Bole
Traditional Area, said the government had acquired large
tracts of land for the Mole Game Reserve and the
Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District Assembly project, for which
compensation had not been paid.
"I wonder whether the Bui Dam project would be made a
special case," he said.
Mr Charles Abas, Northern Regional Coordinating Director,
who represented the Regional Minister, appealed to the
chiefs and opinion leaders to create a peaceful and
congenial atmosphere for the smooth implementation of the
project.
Nana Atekyi promised to convey the concerns of the chiefs to
the President for consideration.
GNA
|
