OIL COMPANY PROVIDES POTABLE WATER FOR COMMUNITIES (Page 35)

Story: Kwame Asiedu Marfo, Mangyea

TULLOW Oil Company Limited, a multi-national company, which has been given the mandate to explore oil and gas from the West Coast of Cape Three Points and the Tano Basin, is expending GH¢100,000 (¢1 billion) for the provision of mechanised boreholes and boreholes fitted with pumps for some communities and schools in the Jomoro District in the Western Region this year.
Under the programme, Ahobre, Mangyea and Effasu will benefit from two mechanised boreholes each, while Elloyin will get one.
Besides, Alomatuope, Mpeasem, Appolonu, Annor Adjaye and Half Assini Senior High Schools (SHS) will each benefit from a borehole fitted with pump.
The oil company has earmarked an additional GH¢200,000 (¢2 billion) for the provision of basic amenities for some communities in the district next year.
It has also expressed the desire to assist the Half Assini and Annor Adjaye SHS with educational infrastructure.
The Jomoro District Chief Executive (DCE), Mr Martin Yamekeh Ackah, who cut the sod for the commencement of the water project at Mangyea, said the change in the fortunes of the district, began with the emergence of the Balkan Energy Company Limited, to oversee the operations of the Osagyefo Barge to supply power to the country.
“Today, we are also witnessing the emergence of Tullow Oil Company,” he said, adding “The double entry of these two economic giants in Nzemaland is a double blessing and we must cherish it as such.”
Those ventures, Mr Ackah said, were avenue of job creation in its totality in the district, adding that “it is our prayer that job creation in the district, which seemed to be a mirage, would soon become a reality in multiple proportions”.
Mr Ackah stated that the discovery of crude oil and gas at Cape Three Points, as well as the Tano Basin, was a unique achievement for the ruling government and a boost in the potential of Ghana to make progress.
He said the use of oil in the industrial and transport sectors had grown to such alarming proportions that no country could boast of economic growth without reference to oil.
According to Mr Ackah, currently, consuming countries were at the mercy of oil-producing countries, adding that what controlled the economy of the nations today were not gold, timber and cocoa but oil.
The DCE said the government was mindful of the adverse repercussions associated with the discovery and the subsequent mining of the product.
In this direction, he said adequate measures had been put in place to ensure a favourable and congenial atmosphere for all to address critical areas to social and economic concerns.
Mr Ackah said it was expected that Tullow and Nzemaland would become one big family, weaving together a seamless relationship in the joint effort to ensure a successful operation and management of the crude oil and the gas field.
“Tullow will be part of Nzemaland, and Nzemaland will be part of Tullow for a sustainable development in Ghana. This calls for a symbiotic relationship between Comoro and Tullow Company,” he emphasised.
Mr Ackah noted that disputes and misunderstandings were inescapably part of any human-centred institution, but added that these must not be allowed to tear the two apart.
The Country Director of Tullow Oil Company, Mr Kofi Esson, said the company would continue to assist the communities in their development activities.
He, therefore, called on the people to practically assist in ensuring the successful operation of the company.