Krobos unhappy about delays in releasing report

Odumase [ER], May 28, GNA- The people of Manya Krobo are seething with anger over the inability of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council (ERCC), to release a report the council commissioned into the ownership of the Odugblase Limestone quarry, which is being contested by both the Manya and Yilo Krobo traditional Councils.

Nene Dome Siakor, Divisional Chief of Suisi of the Manya Krobo Traditional Council, said his people want the council to make public the report so the entire world could know "whatever is on the table" and how it affects them.

Speaking at the seventh edition of the District turn of the People's Assembly held at the Agormanya Parish Hall on Wednesday, Nene Siakor said the Manya people were unhappy over the failure of the ERCC to release the report to them despite several presentations made to that effect.

He said although the council did not hold the current Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Afram Asiedu personally responsible for the hold-up, they, nevertheless, expected him to expedite action on the issue and make the report public soon.

The Odugblase quarry is acclaimed to have large deposits of stones, which are being mined for production of cement.

From an economic point of view, the quarry could serve as a lucrative source of income to the traditional council declared as the legitimate owner.

To avoid the jostling over ownership stifling the project, the ERCC, under then Regional Minister, Mr Yaw Barimah, commissioned a committee to authenticate the ownership of the land and although the committee duly presented its findings, the report had never been made public. Other issues, which came to the fore at the assembly, were the need for the Volta River Authority (VRA) to pay compensations to owners of land it acquired in building the Akosombo power Generation Dam and the status of Akuse.

Contributors re-asserted what they said was their eternal right to Akuse because it is part of the Manya Krobo Traditional Council and cited a Supreme Court judgement and other relevant laws to buttress their point.

On the issue of compensation by the VRA, the District Chief Executive, Mr David Sackitey Asare, said available records indicated that compensations had been paid by the government to the affected parties and there were instances where some individuals collected monies on behalf of their families without making it known to the other family members. However, if there are still people who have records to prove otherwise, they would receive the needed support in demanding what is due them, he added. 28 May 08