Dumasi Landowners stops BGL operation

Dumasi (W/R) June 18 GNA - For the fifth day running, Landowners of Dumasi, near Bogoso, in the Wassa West District of the Western Region, whose lands were taken over by Bogoso Gold Limited (BGL) for the construction of a new tailings dam, have besieged the site demanding payment of compensation agreed upon between BGL and the Landowners. This was due to the failure of the Mining Company to honour its part of the agreement as was enshrined in Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).

The Landowners claimed that because their lands had been taken over by the Mine, they could not farm this year and, therefore, had no farm to live on.

According to them the MOU between BGL and the community spelt out payment of certain amount to enable the Landowners to acquire new lands to farm on.

They said some people had been paid while others had not and this prompted their action.

A source from BGL said the money for the payment of the compensation was ready but unfortunately the Paramount Chief of Wassa Fiase Traditional Area, Osagyefo Kwamina Enimil VI had sent BGL to court insisting that the money should be paid to him instead of the Landowners. This, the source said the Mine could not pay the money until the court determined, who was the rightful owner or occupant of the land. Meanwhile, a Sekondi High Court has advised BGL to lodge the amount into an Escrow account. 18 June 06