Bui Power Authority compensates farmers affected by solar project

The  Bui Power Authority (BPA) last Tuesday, August 29, 2017,  paid GH¢42, 277 as compensation to the five farmers whose farms will be affected by the 50-megawatt solar plant to be established at Carpenter in the Bole Bamboi District in the Northern Region.

The farmers are Baba Tuoro Nimber, Kwasi Bandong, Papa Tailor, Kanyokanyuriyi and Jonas Nwinsumba.

Presenting the compensation package to the farmers at a mini durbar at Carpenter, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BPA, Mr Fred Oware, explained that the money was the compensation  meant for the destruction of their farm produce but not the purchase of their lands.

He gave an assurance that communities affected by the construction of the Bui Dam, whose compensation had not been paid yet would certainly be settled. He also said the authority was establishing a solar project estimated to cost $56million to support the Bui Dam to help generate more power during the dry season.

According to him, the authority had secured all the necessary machines and equipment for the commencement of the project.

He said the BPA collaborated with the Land Valuation Division (LVD) for the valuation of the 1,000-acre land and the payment of the compensation package to the five affected farmers.

He assured the chiefs and residents of Carpenter that the BPA’s vision to establish Bui City was still in the plans of the authority.

Contractor

The CEO of Strategic Security Systems International, a Ghanaian company, and contractors of the project, Oheneba Ofori Boateng told the Daily Graphic that  work was expected to start within two months and completed within 12 months.

“The duration of the project should not take more than 18 months, we are to do it under 12 months, so come August next year we will be here with other dignitaries to cut the sod for the inauguration of the project.” he stated.

According to him, the company was now waiting for the chiefs and people of the area to officially hand  the land  over to the company for it to begin the project.

The Omanhene of Carpenter, Nana Solomon Dompeeh Antwi II, appealed to the contractor to engage the youth in the area in the execution of the project.

He was optimistic that the project when completed would help create jobs and bring development to the town and its environs.

Nana Antwi II thanked the government and the BPA for selecting the Carpenter community to host the solar project and assured them of the Mo Traditional Council’s support to the BPA .

He advised the five beneficiaries to make judicious use of the compensation package.