All Set For Payment Of Compensation To People Affected By Karpowership

All is set for Ghana National Gas Company limited (Ghana Gas) to commence the payment of compensation to individuals and communities that would be affected following the relocation of Karpowership from Tema to the Western Naval Base in Sekondi.

The necessary land and property valuation have been completed and Ghana Gas is ready to begin payment to the affected people in October this year.

Ing Robert Kofi Lartey, Director of Operation at Ghana Gas, who made this known during a community durbar at Shama in the Western Region, said the Company has followed the laid down procedures and all those affected by the relocation would be duly compensated.

The Durbar attended by chiefs, queen mothers, representatives from GRICO, ECG , Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and the affected communities made up of Inchaban, Aboadze, Essipon and Ngreise was under the theme “Effective Community Engagement an Essential Component in Promoting Economic Development”.

The durbar was to enable Ghana Gas to further sensitize all stakeholders in the areas of operations of Karpowership to its principle of having a transparent, trustworthy and sustainable relationship.

Ing Lartey explained that any further delay in the relocation of the plant to Sekondi would cost the nation some 40 million dollars monthly, “It is an aggressive programme and we will run with speed so no one should cross us with unnecessary litigations”.

The Karpowership is expected to add 470 megawatts to the national grid for 20 years.

The Director of Operations said the relocation of the plant was part of plans to get cheaper fuel such as gas from Atuabo for the plant to have easier and constant power supply.

He noted that the relocation would bring more positives than negatives impact to both the government and communities, adding that the plant would now operate at a lower cost, create job opportunities as well as ensure massive development in the beneficiary communities.

Ing Lartey in this regard urged the beneficiary communities to cooperate with Ghana Gas to successfully relocate the plant, since they stood to benefit more than lose.