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22nd March, 2010
Regulate Settlement Of People Flocking To Oil Find Areas - Chief
The Paramount Chief of the Lawra Traditional Area in the Upper West Region, Naa Puowele Karbo III has called for a human settlement Policy to regulate the settlement of people who will flock to communities where Ghana’s oil has been discovered.
Naa Karbo explained that direct and indirect activities of the oil industry would affect settlements due to increase in population and said without a policy framework to ensure the proper planning and orderly untilisation of land, there could be conflicts.
He said human settlement implications were vital and must be taken into serious consideration in the overall development of the oil industry.
Naa Karbo, a retired National Director of the Town and Country Planning Department made the call when the region took its turn at the public consultations on the petroleum resources revenue management here.
The forum, which seeks to collate public views on the judicious use of the oil revenue attracted traditional rulers, district chiefs executives, presiding members of assemblies, development planners, academia, civil and public servants, security services students and civil society groups.
The president of the Upper West Regional House of Chief, Naa Sohemwineyeh Gore II, suggested that a special committee made up of members of political parties with representation in parliament and traditional rulers be formed to manage the oil revenue.
That, Naa Gore explained, would ensure that government did not manipulate resources to the disadvantage of the people.
He also called for the establishment of special tribunals to try oil-related offences to inspire confidence in investors and actors in the industry.
Naa Gore, who is paramount chief of the Dorimon Traditional Area in the Wa West District further suggested that punishment under oil related offences should be severe to serve as a deterrent to others.
He said the bulk of the oil revenue should be invested in education and “teachers should be paid properly to enable them stay in the classrooms.”
Naa Gore however cautioned against developing the oil industry to the neglect of agriculture saying, “that will be a disaster as agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy.”
Mrs Mangowa Ghanney, Deputy Director, Legal Division of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, in her contribution told the forum that all natural resources of the country belonged to the state and must be applied in the interest of the people.
She said royalties would be paid to government in trust for people adding, “Where there are consequences that could be pointed out, steps would be taken to mitigate them.”
The Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Cezar Kale who presided, described the oil discovery as a blessing and called for the judicious use of the resources for the benefit of the people.
Mr Kale urged Ghanaians to take lessons from other countries and guard against acts that would bring about conflict and confusion. Rather the oil revenue should propel the country to forge ahead in its development agenda.
Naa Karbo explained that direct and indirect activities of the oil industry would affect settlements due to increase in population and said without a policy framework to ensure the proper planning and orderly untilisation of land, there could be conflicts.
He said human settlement implications were vital and must be taken into serious consideration in the overall development of the oil industry.
Naa Karbo, a retired National Director of the Town and Country Planning Department made the call when the region took its turn at the public consultations on the petroleum resources revenue management here.
The forum, which seeks to collate public views on the judicious use of the oil revenue attracted traditional rulers, district chiefs executives, presiding members of assemblies, development planners, academia, civil and public servants, security services students and civil society groups.
The president of the Upper West Regional House of Chief, Naa Sohemwineyeh Gore II, suggested that a special committee made up of members of political parties with representation in parliament and traditional rulers be formed to manage the oil revenue.
That, Naa Gore explained, would ensure that government did not manipulate resources to the disadvantage of the people.
He also called for the establishment of special tribunals to try oil-related offences to inspire confidence in investors and actors in the industry.
Naa Gore, who is paramount chief of the Dorimon Traditional Area in the Wa West District further suggested that punishment under oil related offences should be severe to serve as a deterrent to others.
He said the bulk of the oil revenue should be invested in education and “teachers should be paid properly to enable them stay in the classrooms.”
Naa Gore however cautioned against developing the oil industry to the neglect of agriculture saying, “that will be a disaster as agriculture is the backbone of the country’s economy.”
Mrs Mangowa Ghanney, Deputy Director, Legal Division of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, in her contribution told the forum that all natural resources of the country belonged to the state and must be applied in the interest of the people.
She said royalties would be paid to government in trust for people adding, “Where there are consequences that could be pointed out, steps would be taken to mitigate them.”
The Deputy Upper West Regional Minister, Mr Cezar Kale who presided, described the oil discovery as a blessing and called for the judicious use of the resources for the benefit of the people.
Mr Kale urged Ghanaians to take lessons from other countries and guard against acts that would bring about conflict and confusion. Rather the oil revenue should propel the country to forge ahead in its development agenda.
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