EPA concludes a week long Public Hearing in the Keta Delta Block at Keta

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has concluded its one week public hearing in the Keta Delta Block at The Keta Municipality Assembly in The Volta Region.

The final day, 8th June, 2018 has brought together over 500 persons, drawn from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Media, Society Groups, Non Governmental Organizations (NGO) and the General Public to be schooled on the following critical areas: Procedure for allocating oil blocks in Ghana, Ramsar site and environmental impact assessment process.

The sensitization program which was carried out in accordance with the Environmental Assessment Regulations 1999, LI 1652 (Regulation 17), took place in four Districts: Ketu South, South Tongu, Ada East and Keta for District Assembly Assembly Members, Institutions, Community Members, Chiefs and Elders, the General Public to gather their concerns in order to put the report together for another workshop by next year before the exploration.

In an interview with GBCONLINE at Keta, The Chief Programme Officer at EPA, Larry Kotoe said "the decision to hold the Public Hearing was to elicit concerns and expectations from affected communities about the proposed 2D Seismic Survey by Swiss African Oil Company in the Keta Delta Block".

According to him, the public hearing has provided an opportunity for relevant stakeholders, the communities within the block, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and the General Public to present their concerns and expectations about the proposed project, "the proponent was also be given an opportunity to propose mitigation measures and to address key public concerns.

Meanwhile, several Groups and individuals at the forum have raised preliminary objections to the exploration, accusing the EPA of not working in their interest.

In the memo submitted to the EPA, The
Keta Municipality vegetable farmers & Marketers Association said, "the discharge of saline water that will be encountered during the horizontal well development is bound to contaminate the fresh water systems. The bane of oil exploration is a topical issue in developing countries".

According to The Group, studies conducted by the Oceanography Department has shown that the development of the Keta lagoon’s flood plain will rake in more revenue than the Oil and salt industries for the area.

Another Group, Anlo  Youth Council (AYC) has questioned the track record and credibility of The Swiss company? 

They asked "what is the wise use concept and management practices of our Ramsar Site, taking into consideration the Adina Salt mining issues. 

The use of dynamites for the seismic exploration will definitely affect the major fault in Anlo and the Keta Sea Defence", their position was presented by 
Philip Kwasi Banini, the administrative Secretary.

The Centre for Natural Resources and Environmental Management led by Solomon Kwawukume said, the project, when allowed will damage the entire community, in the area  oil spillage, excessive noise, air pollution, water pollution, occupational and public health/safety hazards.

Mr. Kwawukume challenged Kojo Agbenor Efunam, the Deputy Director, Petroleum Department of EPA to enumerate the benefits that he claimed would inure to over 500,000 people living within the onshore zone of the Contract Area, who’s economic and social livelihood would be seriously impacted by the project. 

He said:, "our political leaders and the elite technocrats in charge of Ghana’s administration are being controlled by the Luciferic forces of evil which breeds, deceit, greed, selfishness and corruption"


Story by Edzorna Francis Mensah

GBCONLINE
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