Jomorro: Persons who offered land for Petroleum Hub Development project yet to receive compensation

The Jomorro Petroleum Hub Development project has hit a snag, with a 200 million cedi compensation package for affected communities still pending despite former President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo Addo’s directives to release the funds.

This delay is raising concerns, particularly given the Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Dr. Tony Aubynn’s warnings about the previous government’s failure to properly secure the land for the project.

The Jomoro Petroleum Hub Development project in the Western Region, with an estimated total cost of US $60 bn, spans over 20,000 acres. It will feature among others three refineries, five petrochemical plants, 10 million cubic meters of storage facilities, jetties and port infrastructure.

Ancillary services will include: power plant, rail and road networks, LNG terminals, pipelines, water treatment facilities, waste treatment facilities, logistics and security services, residential and commercial facilities.

However, the delayed compensation has raised concerns about the project’s impact on local communities.

At the sod cutting ceremony of phase one of the three phases on August 19, 2024, then president Nana Addo Danquah Addo Akufo had instructed the finance ministry to release a total amount of two hundred million dollars as compensation for the affected communities.

“The Chiefs and people of Jomorro have generously offered their lands for the development and enhancement of these vital projects.”

“In recognition of their contribution and with deep appreciation, I have instructed the Ministry of Finance to release an initial two hundred million Ghana cedis to commence the payment of compensation for the affected lands, as a first step towards discharging our liabilities to the affected communities,” President gave an assurance.

But this is yet to be done.

Some affected residents of the Nawowle enclave where 20,000-acre plots of their land have been acquired for the project had raised concerns with the plot size, compensation and Corporate Social Responsibility issues.

At a meeting with the Western Regional House of Chiefs in Sekondi, CEO of the Petroleum Hub Development, Dr. Tony Aubynn, said the unpaid compensation is a challenge.

“The president is so committed to ensuring that this sees the light of the day. We knew that there are challenges at the moment. The previous government secured 20,000 acres of land. Unfortunately, not a penny has been paid so when that happens even though you have used state muscle to acquire the land, not having paid becomes a problem because then it is not sure whether it is yours or not.

“The current President Mahama is determined for us to look at the payment so that the land will fully be secured so the project becomes a reality,” Tony Aubynn stated.

He further assured that “the president is keen to do whatever it takes to begin making payment”.

The post Jomorro: Persons who offered land for Petroleum Hub Development project yet to receive compensation first appeared on 3News.

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