RE: Petition to stop proceeding with the proposed compulsory acquisition of 20,000 acres of private lands for a private sector-led Petroleum Hub without due process and acceptable, intergenerational compensation

The Executive Secretary to the President, Nana Bediatuo Asante has acknowledged the receipt of the Coalition of Concerned Nzema People, Half Assini, Jomoro Municipality in the Western Region concerning the 20,000 acres of land for the Petroleum Hub project.

The Executive Secretary to the President in an official release dated 16th August, 2024 and signed has respond to the matters raised about the said acres of land.

RE: Petition to stop proceeding with the proposed compulsory acquisition of 20,000 acres of private lands for a private sector-led Petroleum Hub without due process and acceptable, intergenerational compensation

I am instructed by the President of the Republic to acknowledge receipt of your petition dated 15th August, 2024 and to respond to the matters raised therein.

The petition had no evidence attached to substantiate the claims made, except 83 pages of a list of alleged signatories. The President also received a letter dated 16th August, 2024, from the Western Nzema Traditional Council, under the hand of its President, Awulae Annor Adjaye III, containing a comprehensive response to the matters raised in your petition.

The response from the Western Nzema Traditional Council denies the assertions in your petition and encourages the President to proceed with the sod-cutting ceremony on Monday, 19th August, 2024 as the Petroleum Hub project is for the benefit of the people of Western Nzema.

In addition to that, this Office has had the opportunity to review all the documentation in respect of the Petroleum Hub project including the interlocutory injunction ruling given by the High Court, Sekondi on 22nd November, 2021, confirming that the Petroleum Hub project should proceed. It is also noted that the 20,000 acres of land for the Petroleum Hub project is the subject of compulsory acquisition by the State in accordance with the Constitution and the Land Act, 2020 (Act 1036).

All processes for compulsory acquisition under the law have been complied with thus far, including extensive stakeholder consultations. It is, thus, palpably false to state that the land in question is being registered in the name of Awulae Annor Adjaye III.

In light of the above, your petition is accordingly dismissed. The President of the Republic will undertake the sod-cutting, as scheduled, for the commencement of the Petroleum Hub Project for the benefit of the country.

Please accept the President’s best wishes.

SOURCE: Coverghana.com.gh