Jomoro Farmers Chase Out GNPC/VRA Surveyors

Officials and hirelings of the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC) and
the Volta River Authority (VRA) who had been detailed to demarcate land for a
government project in the Jomoro area last Monday escaped beatings by the skin
of their teeth as angry farmers whose farms were going to be affected by the
project charged and chased them out of their farms in apparent protest against
what they call GNPC and VRA’s impunity, and lack of respect in the on-going
tussle for their lands.

The VRA and the GNPC are seeking to acquire close to 22 square kilometres of
land in four communities in the Jomoro area namely, Bonyere, Egbazo, Ndoum Suozo
and Kabenla Suazo for three projects –a gas processing plant to feed the Aboadze
thermal plant, a petrochemical plant (possibly a refinery) and a fertilizer
plant.
However the processes leading to the acquisition of the land hit a snag as
farmers whose land as well as coconut and rubber plantations were going to
suffer as a result of the projects are now demanding that compensation be paid
them before the project could go ahead.
The problems begun when the GNPC with the support of some ‘big people ‘ from
Jomoro started demarcating lands when they had not sat down with the farmers and
negotiated for their land and crops. They also cut down rubber and coconut
plantations belonging to the farmers
Following agitations last month, the GNPC disclosed to this paper that it was
yet to acquire any land in the areas but explained that it was only in the
process of identifying appropriate area for its projects. GNPC then promised to
meet with the four communities to discuss compensation. “We had an agreement
that not until they (GNPC) negotiated with us, they were not going to enter our
lands and farms” Mr.Peter Nwaeh, a former Assemblyman for Bonyere told The Lead.

However, the state explorer failed to honour its promise and instead
necodemously dispatched its team of surveyors to Egbazo area on Monday November
22, 2010 to commence land demarcation without the knowledge of the farmers.

When the farmer learnt of this development, they mobilized themselves and went
into the bush searching for the GNPC surveyors and hirelings. “To our surprise,
we saw VRA workers also surveying our lands” James Ackah Moore, an affected farm
owner at Egbazo narrated to this paper. He said they had long thought that it
was only the GNPC which was interested in their lands “but now the VRA is also
in the picture”, he added.
He said they also found that the surveyors had mowed down rubber and coconut and
palm trees as well as cassava farms to pave the way for the surveying. The
destruction annoyed the farmers so they seized the surveying gadgets. They
however shied away from physically attacking the VRA workers.
Upon pleading, the farmers released the equipment and asked the surveyors to
vacate their lands and not to return.
Upon hearing what had happened to the VRA team, the GNPC team which was also
working at a different location on the plantation hurriedly packed their tools
and vamoosed from the farms. Information has it that GNPC has denied venturing
into the farms .Rather GNPC have pointed accusing fingers at VRA as being behind
the exercise.
Monday’s development has further heightened tension in Jomoro as the farmers
have now declared that the GNPC and VRA should stay away from their lands. They
are also demanding explanation as to why they reneged on their promise to
compensate them. They said they would mobilize in defense of their property.
We are told the VRA and GNPC reported the incident to the District Chief
Executive for Jomoro, Mr. Victor Nyianyi Kablan to intervene. But attempts to
get the youth and farmers to soften their stance have failed.

Mr.Peter Anderson, a Researcher for the Member of Parliament (MP) for Jomoro,
Samia Yaba Nkrumah said the MP was shocked at the turn of events.Mr.Anderson
revealed in an interview with The Lead that the GNPC promised the MP that they
were going to meet the communities to settle the matter amicably but contrary to
their promise “They went destroying people’s property”. He said it appeared the
GNPC was bent on doing whatever it pleases and stressed “the impunity must
stop”.
Mr. Anderson said the MP will once again register her protest at the attitude of
the GNPC and its collaborators. He said the MP feared the situation could
further heighten tension and set back development in an area that had already
suffered under development for years.
Some opinion leaders have said failure to sufficiently address concerns of the
farmers and land owners could result in a situation where people will resort to
the use of arms to defend their property. They have therefore warned that
government must act decisively to calm down tempers.
At press time yesterday, the youths from the four communities were meeting at
Bonyere to plan the way forward.