Allowulley (Western Region), 3 Oct.,
The Presiding Member of the Jomoro District Assembly, Mr. Francis Amenlemah, has called on the people to place the development of the district above their personal and parochial interests. Mr. Amenlemah made the call at a meeting organised by the Western Nzema traditional council for coconut farmers and WIENCO Fibre Limited, a non-governmental organisation. The meeting was to negotiate for compensation to be paid to coconut farmers whose land has been demarcated for the construction of a fibre factory. Mr. Amenlemah said the construction of the multi-million cedi factory at Tikobo Number One has delayed for about two years due to the high compensation being demanded by the farmers. Owners of coconut plantations on the 61 hectare land allocated by the traditional council for the factory are demanding between six and 10,000 cedis per coconut tree but management of the company can afford six thousand cedis per tree. Mr. Thomas Kwesi, District Chief Executive for Jomoro, asked the farmers to allow part of their plantations to be used for development. He was not happy that the very people who complain of lack of job avenues in the district are unwilling to give land for projects that can offer employment to the people. Mr. Willy Gever, general manager of WIENCO said the project is an integrated one which will help add value to the raw coconut. The project is planned to generate more than 400 jobs in the Western Region.
