The management of the Bui Power Authority (BPA) has justified a recent demolition exercise undertaken its buffer zone.

The Authority said the demolition was necessary because the settlers slowing down their work.

A statement signed by Fred Oware, CEO of BPA said its attention was drawn to various media reports on 20 May 2020 suggesting that it “burnt homes” of residents of Lapla, a purported community of Bongase in the Banda District of the Bono Region “based on tribal and political sentiments”.

It described the reports as misleading, saying: “The Authority wishes to state in no uncertain terms that this is totally misleading”.

“BPA has been vested with the lands for the Bui Hydroelectric project and charged with the duty of protecting all the lands, especially the buffer zone, which are the shores of the Bui Reservoir”, the statement noted.

“Human occupation within the buffer zone had 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 importance of preserving the buffer zone, therefore, cannot be overemphasised. Protecting the Lakeside areas (areas around the Lake) from human occupation has thus become a central part of BPA’s operations. Accordingly, over the years, BPA has instituted measures geared are preserving the buffer zone around the lake.”

Below is the full statement:

BUI POWER AUTHORITY REACTS TO MEDIA STORIES ON THE DEMOLITION OF UNAUTHORISED STRUCTURES WITHIN THE BUI GENERATING STATION ACQUIRED LANDS

Our attention has been drawn to various media reportage 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.

BPA has been vested with the lands for the Bui Hydroelectric project and charged with the duty of protecting all the lands, especially the buffer zone, which are the shores of the Bui Reservoir.

Human occupation within the buffer zone had 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 importance of preserving the buffer zone, therefore, cannot be overemphasised. Protecting the Lakeside areas (areas around the Lake) from human occupation has thus become a central part of BPA’s operations. Accordingly, over the years, BPA has instituted measures geared are preserving the buffer zone around the lake.

The BPA has made provision 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 area apart from these two designated areas. In effect, BPA is under no obligation to resettle unauthorised/illegal settlers when such encroached areas are retrieved.

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 prejudices against any particular tribe or political affiliations. BPA only carried out its legal mandate in the administration of its Acquired Lands. The area had 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. Therefore, it is erroneous to report that the demolition was for the purposes of an ultramodern restaurant as was alleged in the media stories.

BPA has meanwhile held several meetings with this group of migrant-fisherfolk with the sole aim of explaining the dangers they pose to the BGS and why they had to vacate the area to the designated area for fishing. 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-fisherfolk 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 by on April 01, 2020, with the inscription; ‘REMOVE BY MAY 15, 2020’ on ALL the structures. Most of them left during the notice period. Unfortunately, some migrant-fisherfolk failed to adhere to the notice, prompting the Authority to issue a 3-day ultimatum on May 15, 2020, which culminated in the demolition exercise, paving way for the Landing Site Development Project to continue.

We do sympathise with the affected people, but it must be emphasised that we also have a responsibility to protect the reservoir and thus ensure the efficient running of the generating station.

We pray that such encroachment would not happen again.