The Petroleum Hub Development Corporation, in collaboration with the Lands Commission, concluded a comprehensive community engagement exercise in Jomoro, with strong confidence that the project has now gained the acceptance of the majority of the Jomoro people.
The exercise, which began on Monday, April 20, and ended on Thursday, April 24, 2026 at Ellenda, effectively addressed most of the critical issues impacting the thirteen communities.
One of the key concerns raised during the engagement was the significant reduction in land size earmarked for the project, shrinking from an initial 20,000 acres to 12,356 acres. This alteration has sparked discussions regarding land acquisition, with many locals seeking clarity on the compensation payment process.
Employment opportunities for local residents were another major topic of interest. Participants of the various engagement sought clarity on how the youth of the affected will be employed when the project is operational.
While they are hopeful that the project would create jobs and stimulate economic growth in the region, they contend that the youth of the affected communities must be given special dispensation relative to employment at the hub.
There were also concerns over the relocation of communities such as Old Kabenlasuazo and Nyamenle Kwame with residents urging the PHDC to expedite their relocation as they have been deprived of developmental project due to their status as โmoving communitiesโ.
The Deputy CEO of Operations and Technical at the Corporation, Onasis Rosely, described the engagement as both successful and informative, expressing confidence that the community now has a better understanding of the project and its implications.
Throughout the engagement, Onasis Rosely maintained that the PHDC has a special plan to develop the capacities of the youth of Jomoro to ready them for the project.
The Municipal Chief Executive of Jomoro, Hon. Benedict Boadi, emphasised the importance of the engagement, stating that it marks the impending development of the Petroleum Hub project.
He noted with optimism, stating that the project will significantly transform Jomoro for the better and that the youth of Jomoro will no longer need to travel outside the area for job opportunities.
He mentioned the over 700,000 expected jobs set to be created by the project and encourage the people of the Jomoro to focus on the benefits that they will derive from the project and not be dissuaded by the actions of persons he deems to be against the development of Jomoro.
Additionally, the Western Regional Lands Commissioner, Nana Asante Yeboah, reassured the Jomoro community of his office’s commitment to ensuring fair, prompt, and adequate compensation for the land set for acquisition.
He emphasized that the project should ultimately enhance the livelihoods of the local populace.
