Committee to determine compensation for La Pleasure Beach demolition victims

A committee will be constituted early next week to determine appropriate compensation for individuals whose businesses and properties were affected by the recent demolition of facilities at La Pleasure Beach.

The committee will comprise representatives from the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), the La Dadekotopon Municipal Assembly (LaDMA), traditional authorities, management of the affected beaches and the Member of Parliament for the area, Naa Odoley Sowah.

The MP, who is also the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, disclosed this when she appeared before Parliament’s Committee on Local Government and Decentralisation.

She said data had already been collected on persons affected by the demolition and would be assessed to determine the appropriate form of compensation.

Mrs Sowah, however, said the exact nature and amount of compensation had not yet been determined.

“We have their data and the committee is going to look at what we are going to give to them as compensation,” she said.

She assured affected persons that they would be compensated, adding that she would continue to follow up to ensure they receive what is due them.

The MP led officials of LaDMA before the committee to respond to questions concerning the demolition of beach facilities and related flood mitigation exercises in parts of the Greater Accra Region.

Mrs Sowah said the committee would consider the needs of individuals who may require relocation as well as those who may need financial compensation.

She also clarified that the demolition of La Pleasure Beach was separate from the demolition of La Boma Beach, which would be addressed under a different arrangement.

On the La Boma demolition, LaDMA Chief Executive, Alfredos Nii Anyetei, told the committee that the exercise formed part of efforts to address flooding and restore an ecological site.

He said the assembly was not consulted before the exercise but was shown the locations targeted for demolition during a meeting.

Mr Anyetei also said he was unaware that the MP had been specifically informed before the demolition.

The Chairperson of the committee, Queenstar Pokua Sawyerr, said LaDMA had the mandate and technical capacity to monitor developments and protect watercourses within its jurisdiction.

She urged local assemblies to strengthen enforcement measures to prevent individuals from refilling areas that had been dredged or cleared as part of efforts to improve drainage.

Mrs Sawyerr said although government agencies could intervene in emergency situations, local assemblies must take responsibility for developments within their respective jurisdictions.

She further urged the MP and the assembly to ensure that the concerns of affected persons were properly addressed, assuring them that the committee would follow up on the outcome of its deliberations.

National Security last Friday demolished structures at La Pleasure Beach and the adjoining Polo Beach Club following a request from SSNIT.

The exercise affected all structures within the identified areas, including the popular Vienna City, as well as the security post, tollbooth and administration block of the resort.

The La Pleasure Beach is located between the La Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, both of which are owned by SSNIT.

The Polo Beach Club, located east of the Labadi Beach Hotel and near the Kpeshie Lagoon estuary, was also demolished.

SSNIT said it requested the urgent intervention of the National Security Council Secretariat to address what it described as persistent unlawful occupation, encroachment and unauthorised activities along the beachfront adjoining and directly in front of the Labadi Beach Hotel and La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.

According to SSNIT, the two hotels form part of its investment portfolio and are significant national hospitality and tourism assets.

The pension fund said it has a fiduciary responsibility to protect the investments and preserve their value for the benefit of contributors and pensioners.

SSNIT also cited security, fire, sanitation, environmental and public health concerns associated with the alleged encroachment.

It said the activities had also affected the beachfront’s condition, as well as the privacy and service standards expected at internationally recognised hospitality facilities.

SSNIT added that the beaches would be cleaned and restored to a safe and desirable condition and would remain open to the public.

By Esther Padmore Amonoo