A deputy Minister of Information has played down the raging controversy over whether fishers in Western Region whose occupation may be affected by the oil exploration are not entitled to compensation.

Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa told Myjoyonline.com the activities of the fisherfolk will not in anyway be affected by oil exploration and therefore the issue about compensation does not arise.

“Government’s position is that no industry should suffer because of our oil find. It should be possible to coexist.

“…It is just a small radius that is going to be affected on the high seas. So fishing will continue; we are not going to barr the fisherfolks from fishing. It is just a particular radius that they cannot get close to because of safety reasons.

“If people are still fishing (they are still catching their fish) the issue about compensation will not come up at all.”

The deputy Minister was speaking after the airing of Joy FM and MultiTV commissioned an oil documentary dubbed “Oil and Water,” on Monday.