Ghana Gas commences payment of Ȼ7.8 million compensation affected farmers
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- Created on Monday, 30 March 2015 20:13
Ghana National Gas Company (Ghana Gas) will today commence the payment of compensation totalling Ȼ7.8 million to about 800 project-affected farmers in 23 communities along the Essiama-Prestea Lateral Line in the Western Region.
The payment is part of the early phase of the Gas Infrastructure Project from Essiama to Prestea.
Corporate Communications Manager of Ghana Gas, Alfred Ogbamey, in a statement, said the Ȼ7.8 million would be paid as part of the compensation package for crops belonging to farmers.
It said beneficiary communities include Prestea, Banaho, Gwira Bibini Nsuaem. Kutokrom, Mbease Nsuta,' Anyinam, Bondae, Ahomkakrom, Abrodiem, Wiawso, Esamzam, Ma Nyame Hunu, Bokazo, Krobo Junction, Eshiem, Tumentu, Dwira Sem- tum, Assuawaah, Angedware, Atabobo, Aluka, Teleku Bokazo and Essiama.
The statement explained claimants must come to the compensation grounds with their original Form Fs issued to them by the Lands Valuation Division (LVD) during the enumeration of the crops.
In addition, payment would only be effected upon receipt of the Form F, which would be used as evidence of the entitlement of the claimant to the compensation.
According to the statement, for the avoidance of doubt, all claimants around the Essiama end of the EP Line would have their compensation claims handled at the Essiama Palace whereas those around the Prestea end of the line would have their claims handled at the Anyinam Community Centre.
In the statement, Ghana Gas added that it is ready to pay compensation for lands compulsorily acquired for the Western Corridor Gas Infrastructure Development Project.
However, the company said it is awaiting directives from the Lands Commission with respect to the validated beneficiaries of land compensation. "We, therefore, urge claimants to the lands in question to adhere to the following processes to expedite the process of payment to them.
"Claimants of land compensation are expected to make claims to the Lands Commission within six months of the publication of compulsory acquisition notices in the national dailies.
"The said compulsory acquisition notices in this case were published in August 2014.
"Upon validation of uncontested claims by the Lands Commission, Ghana Gas will be obliged to pay the compensation to the claimant," it stated.
Ghana Gas, therefore, appeals to affected claimants to exercise patience while they go through the validation process of the Lands Commission.
The statement said, "We appeal to claimants who may have difficulties in preparing their claims to contact the offices of Ghana Gas for assistance. Officials are ready to assist them to the best of their abilities."
source: myjoyonline