The Ghana National Gas Company has commenced the payment of compensation to farmers whose crops had to be cleared to pave way for Phase I of the Western Corridor Gas Infrastructure Development Project.

Whilst Alternative Livelihood Intervention Programmes (ALIPs) are currently being drawn by Ghana Gas for the affected farmers, the compensation exercise forms an integral precursor of the implementation of the recommendations of the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report that was issued on the project.

In sum, a total of 1498 farmers (cassava, plantain, coconut, palm nut, rubber plantations) traversing 57 communities in eight districts in the Western Region are expected to present their crop enumeration forms (Land Valuation Division Form F) for an aggregate compensation amount of about GHC5.6 million over the next five days.

The crop enumeration and valuation was carried out by the Land Valuation Division of the Lands Commission.

Management of Ghana Gas reiterated that they are strongly guided by a conscientious Corporate Social Responsibility Policy and would therefore, ensure that no person or group of persons are unduly disadvantaged by virtue of our operations. We are accountable for our actions at all times.

Therefore called for the support and cooperation of all, especially those from the project affected area in their bid to accelerate the nation's effort of rapid industrialization by providing cost competitive natural gas and gas based products for domestic markets including the development of petrochemical industries, fertilizer and power generation, as well as to the international market.