Audio By Carbonatix
The successful completion of the Bui Hydroelectric Power project is under threat following an injunction application filed by some chiefs in the area.
Chief of Dokakyina, Nana Kwadwo Kumah is accusing project officials of forcefully relocating residents without paying the necessary compensation.
The chief is therefore seeking the Sunyani High Court to put an injunction on the construction of the project until issues relating to compensation have been addressed.
His counsel Nana Obiri Boahen told Joy News his client was utterly bewildered by threats from the Regional Minister asking residents to vacate the area before the 8 June, 2011.
He said the court action was the best situation to take given the exigency of the matter.
Asked if the residents indeed had not received compensation, the counsel said that is what his client had told him and had asked him to seek justice on his behalf.
The applicant is also protesting the relocation of residents to a land he claims is not their own ancestral stool land.
The looming court wrangle appears to be latest threat to impede the electricity project.
It comes several months after another controversy in which a Board member of the Bui Project and General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah was accused of conflict of interest after admitting he was selling blocks to contractors on the project for construction purposes.
His accusers said as a board member, it is improper for him to engage in that venture. The board however later cleared him of the conflict of interest allegations.
Reacting to the recent compensation allegations, the Chief Executive Officer of the Bui Project Jabesh Amissah Arthur told Joy News the allegation is not entirely true.
According to him, varying compensation amounts are given out at different times to residents depending on what they lose.
"They are all being compensated according to what has been agreed. The compensation is in different parts. There is compensation for resettlement which happens when you resettle. There is income support which is paid continuously for 12 months...." he explained.
He said the authority has had fruitful discussions with over 1,250 residents, most of whom have relocated already, insisting only a few have remained intransigent.
He denied allegations that the residents have been harassed, saying "what we have done over the last two three years is to discuss with the people involved," he said.
He would not comment on the substantive court case until lawyers for the project have decided the next line of action.
Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com
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