Petroleum company assures farmers in Nzema of compensation

Takoradi, Jan 26, GNA - Cirrus Oil Services Limited (COSL), dealers in petroleum products that has bought land at Egyambra in the Nzema area, has assured the 150 farmers whose crops would be destroyed of appreciable compensation.

Speaking to the GNA on Monday in Takoradi Mr Kwasi Nkansah, Jnr, Financial Anaylst in charge of projects, said the company was in negations with traditional and government authorities on the terms of compensation to be paid to the farmers.

He said the compensation was likely to be based on the size of farm land and the nature of crop being cultivated by the farmers. Mr Nkansah told the GNA that one-and-half-years ago COSL bought 200 acres of land from the chiefs of the area to built a wharf and other projects but the land had since not been developed as a result of certain technicalities.

He appealed to the farmers to continue with their farming until such time that the valuation and negotiations would be fully completed after which they would be requested to vacate the land to pave way for the deep sea project.

Mr Nkansah said to ensure good neighbourliness COSL intended providing the communities with facilities and the company had started with a teacher's accommodation which is almost completed. The farmers, who cultivate coconut, cassava, rubber and palm fruits among other cash crops have since the purchase of the land been agitating for payment of compensation. Mr George Samoah, spokesman for the farmers, alleged that the management of the COSL had persistently refused to attend meetings convened to discuss payment of the compensation saying that the delay had placed the farmers in serious financial difficulties.