Government has completed the payment of compensations to 13 farmers and structure owners whose properties were destroyed for the construction of the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD) in Somanya in the Eastern Region.
The Management of the University with witnesses: the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Yilo Krobo and the National Council for Tertiary Education has disbursed a total of GHS1, 565, 544 among 13 persons on Monday, 24 August, 2020 at the university’s Conference Hall.
This includes three different compensation payments by the state to the owners of the structures, farm crops and legal fees incurred by the claimants during their effort to get the compensations paid.
Already, Mr. Baffuor Awuah Kwabi – Finance Director of the school says, Government paid GHS546, 835 before the commissioning of the university on Wednesday, 5 August, 2020.
The final payment which was made on Monday was GHS1, 018, 709.3 and GHS88, 997.3, with the latter being legal fees.
Mr. Baffuor noted that, processes are ongoing for the payment of the land compensation.
The President during the commissioning and sod cutting ceremony for phases one and two respectively, indicated that GETFund has released money, through the National Council for Tertiary Education (NCTE), for the payment of compensation to the original land owners, adding that “I have been assured that the outstanding amounts will be settled within the next two weeks”.
The Vice Chancellor of the university Prof. Eric Sampson Nyarko addressing the media, advised the locals to take advantage of the socio-economic prospect the school comes with.
Adding, Prof Nayrko said that the payment of the compensation would ensure that inhabitants receive authorities as well as the students of the school with harmonious welcome. This, he estimated will promote good community and school relationship.
Following the Ministry of Finance financial clearance granting the University to recruit an initial three hundred (300) staff to enable its smooth take-off, Prof Sampson Nyarko noted that 22, 642 applications were received.
Speaking to Rite FM, the MCE for Yilo Krobo Municipality – Honorable Ebenezer Tetteh Kupualor who commended the president, His Excellency Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for fulfilling his promise also thanked Professor Kwasi Yanka, the Deputy Minister in charge for Tertiary Education for acting on a plea he (MCE) made to him (Prof Yanka) early this year.
Some beneficiaries in an interview with the press expressed their feelings after receiving their cheque.
A food processing company, Best African Enterprise Limited, which received over GHS500, 000 has pledged to re-invest its share of the compensation in Somanya to provide employment for the teaming youth.
The University of Environment and Sustainable Development is expected to begin recruitment of its first batch of undergraduate students for the 2020/2021 academic year.
Source: ritefmonline.org
