Petroleum Hub Saga: I won't release the land to government - Nzema King

The overlord of the Awiaso-Nzema traditional area, Awulae Kaku Ackah III, has categorically stated that he is not ready to release the proposed 20,000 acres of land the government is seeking for the creation of an oil hub.

Recently, a public gathering was held by the Ministry of Energy at Half Assini in the Jomoro Municipality under the auspices of the paramount chief (Omanhene) of Western Nzema, Awulae Annor Adjaye III, after he purportedly released an area of about twenty thousand acres of Nzema Stool land to the government for the construction of an oil hub.

But speaking on Radio Gold's show, Pampaso, hosted by Kwasi Boakye, Awulae Kaku Ackah III, stated emphatically that all the lands in South-Western Ghana, from the Ankobra River to New Town, are under his care, and he will not release such a large proportion to the government to construct the oil hub.

"The 20,000 acres of land the government wants to take for the construction of the oil hub is too huge. Although I need developmental projects in my area, I won't release such vast land to the energy ministry. I'll give the government 5,000 acres to start work. And if there will be a need for additional land for the project depending on its state, I'll release an additional 5,000 acres," he said.

He explained that should he decide to release the vast land to the government for the oil hub, his people would go hungry because there would be no land to embark on their main work, which is farming.

"South-Western Nzema doesn't have enough lands, and if the government takes 20,000 acres, it means my people will not be able to farm for a living," he said.

Nana Awulae Kaku Ackah III declared that the government must make it a responsibility to pass through the right channel for the acquisition of the land.

"The government has not even approached me (the rightful owner of the land). They only went to a caretaker of Chief Awulae Annor Adjaye III and signed documents for the release of the land. How can a caretaker chief release such 20,000 acres, which is about 80,000 plots, to the government for a petroleum hub without my approval?" he queried.

"Annor Adjaye knows he is just a caretaker and that he has no right or documents to release land to anyone. I want development in my area; therefore, if President Nana Addo indeed wants to establish the petroleum hub, I'm ready to release 5,000 acres of the land for the project, but I'll never release the said 20,000 acres to the government," he stated.