Jonas Kabutey
The ‘Concerned Youth of Nzema’, a community-based group in the Western Region, has bemoaned the alleged abandonment of the Petroleum Hub project in the Jomoro area by the current government.
The project, which was initiated under the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) government, is aimed at boosting Ghana’s energy sector, creating employment opportunities, and promoting industrial and economic development.
The Petroleum Hub was announced as a strategic national project expected to position Ghana as a major petroleum and petrochemical hub in West Africa.
However, despite public assurances and stakeholder engagements, the project has not begun after a sod was cut for its commencement prior to the last general election.
The situation has raised serious concerns among the public, particularly residents and youth of Nzema, who were hopeful of employment and economic benefits.
Addressing a press conference yesterday, the president of the group, Jonas Kabutey, noted that the delay in starting the project and making it operational is dashing the hope of most of the youth who were expected to be employed.
He asserted that the situation has also reduced investor confidence in the area and slowed economic development in the host communities.
He, therefore, called on the National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to provide clear explanation on the reasons the Petroleum Hub has not started or not operational.
“We want the authorities concerned to explain the current status of the project and provide realistic timeline for the commencement of the project and its operations,” he stated.
He stressed the need for transparency and regular communication with the public on the progress of the project.
“We suggest that the Petroleum Hub and its Board should engage major stakeholders, including traditional leaders, regularly, to brief them on the current status of the project.
“The Ministry of Energy and other relevant state agencies, for instance, can engage the public to let them know the current challenges, if any, and concrete steps being taken to address the challenges,” he indicated.
“We are confident that your intervention will help address these concerns and restore public confidence in this important national project,” he added.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Nkroful