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26.06.2013 General News

Payment of compensation for N1 Highway

By Daily Graphic
Payment of compensation for N1 Highway
26.06.2013 LISTEN

The Chief Valuer in charge of Compensation at the Lands Commission, Mr Kwesi Bentsi-Enchill, yesterday told the Judgement Debt Commission that nine outstanding claimants were yet to be paid their compensations resulting from the construction of the Tetteh Quarshie-Apenkwa road.

That, he said, was because the nine were yet to reach agreement on the level of compensation to be paid to them.

Mr Bentsi-Enchill was testifying at the sitting of the Judgement Debt Commission in respect of the case relating to the payment of compensation of GH¢11,957 to Dr J.Q. Vanderpuye in Accra.

Others that appeared at the sitting were a veteran trade unionist, Mr John Alex Hamah, and the Managing Director of Kae Ghana Limited, Mr Amadu Kalim.

Mr Bentsi-Enchill said although he was aware of the case regarding compensation to Dr Vanderpuye, 'no money has been paid as yet'.

'It is a claim that has been assessed, funds have been released, but the payment has not been made, because we are looking for proper documentation that would establish the recipient's capacity,' he said.

Dr Vanderpuye was one of the 25 claimants for compensation for lands acquired for the extension of the Tema Motorway from Tetteh Quarshie to Apenkwa.

Beneficiary of compensation
The Chief Land Valuer indicated that a daughter of the late Dr Vanderpuye had married and that the identification she tendered for the money was in a different name.

Mr Bentsi-Enchill said the commission was asking for some documentation to establish that she was the person entitled to the funds.

Unfortunately, he said, she was not in the country and it had taken so long for her to come back with whatever documentation.

'A cheque was written in June, 2012, but it has gone stale and has been cancelled and we are waiting for her to get back so she can be paid.'

Mr Bentsi-Enchill said Dr Vanderpuye's claims covered 1.1 acre of land out of the more than 57 acres acquired by the state for the project under Executive Instrument (EI) 44 of 1973.

The Sole Commissioner, Mr Justice Yaw Apau, commended the Chief Valuer, adding that 'Mr Bentsi-Enchill has been of great help to this commission with regard to land compensation'.

Veteran trade union leader
Next to appear was Mr Hamah, who petitioned the commission in relation to an amount of 56,000 old cedis confiscated from him on January 12, 1974, by the military/police junta of the National Redemption Council.

That was after he had been arrested for allegedly planning or plotting to stage a junta. He was arrested with General R.E. Quartey, who Mr Hamah was accused of giving money to stage the coup.

The National Reconciliation Commission (NRC), according to Mr Hamah, recommended that his money be returned to him, since he did not get it from any foreign source to overthrow a government of Ghana.

Mr Hamah said after several back and forth he was given GH¢7,311.13 instead of GH¢74,000, compelling him to petition the commission.

His last appearance was at the Public Accounts Committee before petitioning the commission.

'So my Lord, my appeal to this commission is that the commission should recommend to the Attorney General to give direction to the Ministry of Finance to pay me the balance of my money confiscated to the state with interest at present rate,' he said.

Mr Justice Apau said he appreciated the courage and determination of Mr Hamah, adding that 'you have fought a good battle, I'm grateful God has kept you to this time'.

Kae Ghana Limited
In the case of Kae Ghana Limited, Mr Justice Apau said if the state had acted on time, it would not have paid GH¢545,870.81 for a contract of GH¢1,200 for the rehabilitation of the Golinga Dam.

The contract of the company was terminated after it had carried out part of the work valued at GH¢208.

The state failed to pay the money for which reason the company decided to go to court in 2008 and secured a consent judgement of GH¢545,870.81.

Mr Karim responded in the affirmative when Mr Justice Apau asked whether he had been paid in full.

By Emmanuel Bonney

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