Jomoro youth demand share of oil proceeds

Some angry youth calling themselves "Jomoro Youth for Development" (JYD) in the Jomoro Municipality of Western Region are demanding their share of the country's oil proceeds.

They feel cheated considering the level of underdevelopment in the area against the huge sums of oil proceeds being generated by the government.

In a statement issued by the group, they said all the major roads in Jomoro, for instance, are in a deplorable state.

They, therefore expressed disappointment in the Akufo-Addo-led government and the Western Regional Minister Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah for neglecting the deplorable roads in the area when the 2020 budget was presented to Parliament.

"We were totally disappointed when the Regional Minister mentioned some roads being constructed by the government in the region without a single road in Jomoro", they said whilst expressing worry.

"Does it mean our leaders in government are not lobbying or telling the truth about the nature of our roads to government?", they quizzed.

"We recall that Jomoro’s name especially New Town was mentioned on countless times in the court ruling of the oil boundary dispute between Ghana and our sister country Cote D’Ivoir. Is it not disappointing that we are rather not benefiting at all from this oil as a municipality? Should there be any oil spillage or any oil-related health issues will Jomoro not be affected?", they added.

They emphasized that, "The main road leading to the Municipal Capital is even worst. We blame our leaders who quickly find a way of filling potholes on the road as soon as they hear of a government official or the President’s visit to the municipality".

They reminded the Akufo-Addo-led government of its promise of establishing a fertilizer plant in the area.

President Akufo-Addo on August 8, 2017 at Half Assini in Jomoro pledged to establish a fertilizer plant in the area for the citizens to benefit from the oil proceeds but till date, nothing has been done to fulfil the promise.

"Our hope for development was restored when we had a hint of a Fertilizer Plant coming to Jomoro. We thank the government for the hope restored. We also appreciate the construction of the Forward Operating Base in our municipality. We are of hope that both projects will be completed before the 2020 general elections".

They also appealed to the government to revamp the "rotten" Osagyefo Barge at Effasu in the Municipality.

"We are by this release pleading to the President and his government to as a matter of urgency attend to our major roads in the municipality", they pleaded.

Below is the full statement

JOMORO MUST BENEFIT FROM THE OIL PROCEEDS - JYD

On behalf of the Chiefs and the good people of Jomoro, we wish to thank the Member of Parliament, MCE, Political Party Executives, President and his government and other stakeholders who have and are contributing to the development of the Jomoro Municipality.

We appreciate the good works being done for us in Jomoro. We were disappointed when the Ghana Gas Plant was relocated to a different district by the Late Professor Mills lead NDC government but we had no option than to leave it to God.

Our hope for development was restored when we had a hint of a Fertilizer Plant coming to Jomoro. We thank the government for the hope restored. We also appreciate the construction of the Forward Operating Base in our municipality. We are of hope that both projects will be completed before the 2020 general elections.

We are therefore pleading to the President of the Republic to as a matter of urgency attend to our road infrastructural issues.

The government under His Excellency Former President John Agyekum Kuffour brought the Osagyefo Barge to Effasu in the Jomoro Municipality. This barge which cost the country millions of dollars is left rotten.

All our roads in the municipality are left in their poor states.

The main road leading to the Municipal Capital is even worst. We blame our leaders who quickly find a way of filling potholes on the road as soon as they hear of a government official or the President’s visit to the municipality.

These same people leave it in its poor state after the visit, because they use luxurious vehicles which do not let them feel the pains road users use in the municipality.

We recall that Jomoro’s name especially New Town was mentioned on countless times in the court ruling of the oil boundary dispute between Ghana and our sister country Cote D’Ivoir. Is it not disappointing that we are rather not benefiting at all from this oil as a municipality? Should in case there is any oil spillage or any oil related health issues will Jomoro not be affected?

We were totally disappointed when the Regional Minister mentioned some roads being constructed by the government in the region without a single road in Jomoro.

Does it mean our leaders in government are not lobbying or telling the truth about the nature of our roads to government?

All major roads in the municipality are left unmotorable and need critical attention. Especially, Half Assini to New Town and Bawia to Tikobo No.2.

We are by this release pleading to the President and his government to as a matter of urgency attend to our major roads in the municipality.

Long live Jomoro Municipality!

Long live Western Region!!

Long live Mother Ghana!!!

Thank you.

Signed by:

Citizen Joe (Convener)

Tel: 0275342776

Joseph Menlabah (Secretary)

Boniface Danquah (Organizer)