Government has reduced the land size earmarked for the Petroleum Hub Development Project in the Jomoro District by 6,700 acres, following concerns raised by affected landowners.

The project, which was initially planned to cover 20,000 acres, has been scaled down as part of efforts to address petitions from host communities and ease growing tensions over land acquisition and compensation.

Chief Executive Officer of the Petroleum Hub Development Corporation, Dr Tony Aubynn, disclosed the development in an interview with Channel One News on the sidelines of an engagement with the Western Regional House of Chiefs in Sekondi.

He said the decision was taken at the highest level of government to ensure the project proceeds without prolonged disputes that could delay implementation.

“The President thought that if we have to follow these petitions upon petitions then this project cannot come off. So the President in his wisdom said let’s reduce the size of the land to the size that can still contain the project without creating problems,” he explained.

Dr Aubynn assured that the reduction in land size would not affect the overall scope, design, or viability of the Petroleum Hub Project, which remains a flagship industrial initiative.

He also acknowledged concerns over delays in compensation payments to affected landowners, urging them to remain patient as processes are completed.

“We crave their indulgence to be patient. This is a huge project; it doesn’t take off easily. They should be patient and confident,” he added.

The Petroleum Hub Project is expected to serve as a major energy infrastructure development aimed at positioning Ghana as a key petroleum processing and trading centre in the sub-region.