Bui Power Authority (BPA) has rejected claims that it conducted a demolition exercise at Lapla, a purported community at Bongase, in the Banda District of Bono Region based on tribal and political sentiments,
“Our attention has been drawn to various media reports on May 20, 2020 suggesting that the Bui Power Authority (BPA), based on tribal and political sentiments, has burnt homes of residents of Lapla, a purported community of Bongase, in the Banda District of the Bono Region. The Authority wishes to state in no uncertain terms that this is totally misleading,” a statement from BPA said.
The Authority explained that it acted after several consultations with the fisherfolk on the impact of their encroachment on the lake.
“Human occupation within the buffer zone has dire consequences on the Dam’s operation as their activities increase sedimentation and siltation with their adverse consequences on the volume of water within the lake.”
“The demolition exercise in question was in accordance with the BPA policy of evicting unauthorized persons within the buffer zone around the Bui Reservoir to save the operations of the Bui Generating Station (BGS). There were no and will never be prejudice against any particular tribe or political affiliations,” the statement added.
While making reference to the various consultations, BPA sympathized with the affected families and reassured of the provision made “for fishing activities in two areas located near Bongase, in the Bono region and in Jama, in the Savannah Region.”
“There have been no discussions whatsoever to resettle migrant fishermen on alternative land apart form these two designated areas,” it added.
On the account of consultations, it said: “The first of such meetings was held on October 10, 2019, at the location in question where a two-month notice to vacate the area was issued. On November 18, 2019, another meeting was held with the traditional leaders of Bongase to explain the need for the migrant fisher-folks to leave that area.”
“Subsequently, on December 04, 2019, at the request of the migrant fisher folks the deadline was extended to January 31, 2020.”
“Consequently, the final warning was issued on April 01, 2020, with the inscription; ‘REMOVE BY MAY 15, 2020’ on all the structures. Most of them left during the notice period,” BPA added in the statement.
Bui Hydroelectric Project
The authority explained that it is mandated to protect lands for the Bui Hydroelectric project.
“BPA only carried out its legal mandate in the administration of its Acquired Lands. The area has been earmarked for a Landing Site Development Project, which began in 2019, to facilitate the work of the Ghana Naval Team of the National Security Detachment deployed at BGS.”