The Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation (PHDC), Dr. Toni Aubynn, has clarified the rationale behind the government’s decision to allocate 20,000 acres of land for the Petroleum Hub project in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region.
In an interview on the Super Morning Show on Joy 99.7FM, Dr. Aubynn explained that although the core project will require approximately 11,000 acres, the remaining land has been set aside to ensure environmental preservation and operational safety.
“The land size was carefully determined,” Dr. Aubynn noted. “Out of the total 20,000 acres, around 11,000 acres will be used for the hub’s infrastructure. However, 7,000 acres include ecologically sensitive areas such as lagoons and wetlands, which will be preserved. In addition, a 2,000-acre buffer zone—required for safety and environmental sustainability—has been designated and will remain undeveloped.”
He emphasized that both the government and PHDC are committed to the responsible and sustainable use of the land, ensuring that environmental integrity is maintained throughout the project’s lifecycle.
Dr. Aubynn also addressed ongoing efforts to secure funding for compensation payments to affected landowners. He said PHDC is working closely with government agencies while also engaging private investors and financial institutions to mobilize the necessary funds.
“We’re holding productive discussions with financial institutions, and we’re making significant progress,” he said.
He further revealed that PHDC is in talks with the TCP-UIC Consortium—the group spearheading the first phase of the project—to allocate a portion of their $12 billion investment toward initial compensation disbursements.
“The primary challenge is securing funds to compensate landowners and obtain a clear title to the land,” Dr. Aubynn stated. “Investor confidence hinges on land tenure clarity, which is a key requirement in our Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). That’s why we’re exploring every option, including a contribution from the consortium, alongside government support and funding from banks.”
The Government of Ghana, in 2024, signed an MoU with the TCP-UIC Consortium—comprising Touchstone Capital Group Holdings Ltd., UIC Energy Ghana Ltd., China Wuhan Engineering Co. Ltd., and China Construction Third Engineering Bureau Co. Ltd.—to develop the first phase of the Petroleum Hub project.
Although construction was originally scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2025, delays in the disbursement of compensation have stalled progress. Nonetheless, Dr. Aubynn reaffirmed PHDC’s commitment to ensuring that compensations are paid promptly to enable the project to proceed as planned.