No compensation for encroachers on Ho airstrip site

The Minister for Transport, Madam Dzifa Attivor, says government will not pay compensation to encroachers on land for the proposed airstrip in Ho.

She has, therefore, called for the pulling down of all illegal structures in the area, warning any person on that land should stay off.

Madam Attivor gave the warning when she visited the site, off Ho-Aflao Highway, in the company of officials of the Lands Commission, the Ghana Civil Aviation Authority and the Ghana Airport Company.

She said government remained committed to building airstrips in the regional capitals, developing them into airports later and charged chiefs, the Ho Municipal Assembly and the Regional Coordinating Council to ensure that the site was well secured for the commencement of the project.

Madam Attivor said her visit marked the “starting point” of the project and called for the support of all stakeholders.

“This project is dear to our hearts. We have a lot of tourist attractions here and we know this will create jobs and make our people feel the better Ghana,” she stated.

Madam Attivor said the design of the project would soon be done, to pave way for the speedy construction of the airstrip.

Mr Joseph Afotey Agbo, Volta Regional Minister, called on officials of the Lands Commission to demarcate the boundaries of the site for the construction of roads around the site to secure it from encroachment.

The Ghana News Agency recently reported that some individuals and institutions were developing areas suspected to be within the proposed site for the airstrip.

Some developers told the GNA that they had permit from the Ho Municipal Assembly and the Lands Commission.

However, Mr Gershon Quamie Tsrah, Volta Regional Lands Commissioner, said his office did not give permit to anyone to develop the area.

He explained that there was no scheme for the area yet, so his outfit could not have given permits for structures there.

Mr Quamie Tsrah told the GNA that government however had to acquire and pay for the airstrip extension because it only acquired and paid for the “main” site and not the extension.

The deserted land area is said be home to wild animals and reptiles, though runways constructed years ago are still visible and used by people for driving lessons.