The Minority in Parliament on a fact-finding mission and to commiserate with the displaced people of Lapla at Bongase in the Banda district of Bono Region have expressed their disgust with the inhumane treatment dished out to the people by Bui Power Authority (BPA).

Last week, JoyNews reported on how BPA demolished homes of the migrant fish farmers, mainly from the Volta Region, and subsequently burnt their belongings for illegally staying near the bank of the lake.

In a release signed by the CEO of BPA, Fred Oware, “the demolishing exercise in question was in accordance with the BPA policy of evicting unauthorised persons within the buffer zone around the Bui Reservoir to save the operations of the Bui Generating Station”.

The exercise, which happened without the knowledge of the Banda district security council, angered the chiefs and people of Bongase who later impounded two vehicles belonging to the Authority forcing the CEO to engage the chiefs, Member of Parliament, Assemblyman and the youths to address the situation.

Though the CEO is said to have apologized for their actions after the series of meetings, the minority MPs, mainly from the Volta region, are expected to invite BPA to parliament.

Anlo MP, Clement Kofi Humado told Joy News that It is dehumanising for this to happen to Ghanaian citizens in Ghana in this day and age.

He said, “look at the destruction around. Settlers just trying to make a living and without any court action, you destroy their dwelling places. I don’t think that is good enough. And as part of our report, it is very likely we will invite the CEO to come and explain what is happening on the grounds. The fact that land is given to you as a state institution, even without paying compensation, does not authorize you to treat settlers this way. We have not even heard of relief items brought to the people and that is disappointing”.

Banda MP, Ahmed Ibrahim said progress and a resolution plan have been made with BPA leadership which should bring finality to the situation. He expressed his appreciation to the CEO for the show of maturity that calmed tempers. 

The over 150 displaced, including women and children, have been passing the night at Bongase Presbyterian school with some of them still wearing the same dress for over a week now.

Bongase chief, Nana Haya Bosom II at a meeting with the NDC MPs said, he will not allow BPA to oppress his people and guest again.

He told the Parliamentarians that he has not sold and will never sell his land to BPA and he will fight off any attempt to control him because of their compensation.

Nana advised the politicians not to do politics with the current situation in the run-up to the general elections, adding, “I will not accept nor tolerate any such happening on my land”. 

The Minority on behalf of the NDC presented ten bags of rice, boxes of cooking oil, sardines, tin tomatoes and soaps, clothes, shoes, mosquito nets, biscuits, and 5,000 cedis to ease the burden of the displaced people. 

Dorcas Bonny, a victim, expressed her appreciation to the minority for their support.

The minority delegation included Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzra, Clement Kofi Humado, Ato Bondzi, Kobbina Woyome, and Ahmed Ibrahim.

National Organiser, Joshua Akamba, and his deputy, Kobby Barlon, other bigwigs such as former Transport Minister, Dzifa Ativor, and former MP, George Loh were also present. Ambassador Nyamekye Marfo, Bono Regional Chairman of the NDC, and the Communication director, Charles Akowuah were among the regional executives.

The delegation seized the opportunity to interact with the Voltarian migrants on various topics including their welfare.