The government has assured landowners in the catchment area of the Bui Hydroelectric Power Project of an appreciable compensatory package. The Vice-President, Mr John Dramani Mahama, announced this when he addressed a durbar of the chiefs and people of the Banda Traditional Area last Saturday after he had toured the project site. He said the government was in negotiations with the custodians of the land and would soon come up with an appreciable package for them. He noted that the demand by the traditional leaders for compensation was legitimate, adding that the government would work out a package that would be acceptable to them. The Bui Dam, expected to produce 400 megawatts of hydro power, is the third in the country, after the Akosombo and the Kpong dams. The project had been the subject of many feasibility studies, principally in 1966, 1976 and 1995, with an update on the 1995 study in 2006. On the basis of the 2006 update, the feasibility and the economic viability of the project were confirmed. On August 24, 2007, former President J.A. Kufuor cut the sod for the commencement of work on the project, which is also expected to improve the security of energy supply to northern Ghana and strengthen the country's capacity to become a net exporter of power to Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, among other West African countries. Mr Mahama also assured the people that they would be the immediate beneficiaries of power supply when the project was completed by 2013. He said the lessons learnt from the construction of the Akosombo Dam would not be repeated by the government in the discharge of its social responsibility to the surrounding communities in the catchment area of the dam. The Vice-President said the government would undertake the Bui City Project, which includes a post office, schools, a health post, roads, institutions of higher learning and other social infrastructure. On health, Mr Mahama said he would hold a roundtable with all stakeholders on how to intensify the spraying exercise to rid the area of onchocerciasis and other diseases. He further asked the regional directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES) to present the drawings of the Nsawkaw Senior High school for upgrading and appealed to the traditional authorities to liaise with the government and also offer advice for the completion of the project on schedule. The Brong Ahafo Regional Minister, Mr Kwadwo Nyamekye-Marfo, said the government would ensure the completion of the project on schedule, “since it is dear to our hearts”. He said the President would soon visit the project area and also use the opportunity to thank the people for the massive support they gave to the NDC during the 2008 general election. The Paramount Chief of the area, Okokyeredom Kwadwo Sito, expressed concern over the total neglect of traditional leaders, the custodians of the land, in discussions on the apportioning of compensation. Rather, he said, it was settlers who appeared to be negotiating with the government on the compensation packages. He called on the government to upgrade the Nsawkaw Senior High School so that the people in the Bui catchment area would have the benefit of quality education. The Chief Executive of the Bui Power Authority, Mr Jabesh Amissah-Arthur, who briefed the Vice-President, said the total cost of the project was $622 million, compromising a concessional loan of $263.5, a buyer’s credit of $298.5 million, while the government contributed $60 million. He said the project had a strong local participation, especially during the construction phase, adding that out of the projected construction workforce of 3,400 workers, 2,900 were expected to be Ghanaians. “The Ghanaians are in the entire spectrum of the management of the project, including skilled, semi-skilled and management,” he added. Source: Daily Graphic