Institutions affected by National Cathedral have been compensated – Lands Minister

The Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor has revealed that all institutions whose structures were demolished to make way for the construction of the National Cathedral have been fully compensated by the government.

Speaking on the floor of parliament, Mr Jinapor said these institutions have been provided with alternative public lands to relocate their businesses and activities.

“Mr Speaker, the land on which the National Cathedral is being constructed, measuring approximately 16.26 acres, forms part of a large tract of land acquired by the state in 1910 by a certificate of title dated 29 September 1910.

“Mr Speaker, apart from the public institution that occupied the area, four private institutions had interest in the land in addition to the Embassy of the Republic of Mali. All these institutions have been provided with alternative public lands. The Embassy of the Republic of Mali and Waterstone Reality Limited have been relocated to airports.

“The Africa Center for Energy Policy (ACEP) has been relocated to Roman Ridge. Numo Logistics Limited has been relocated to Cantonment and Comsys Limited has been relocated to East Ridge, thus, Mr. Speaker, all persons, both public and private, who were affected by the construction have been adequately compensated by way of alternative properties,” he said.

The construction of the National Cathedral required the demolition of several buildings, leading to a legal action from Waterstone Realty Limited, a company affected by the project.

However, the Lands Minister asserted that the large piece of land on which the National Cathedral building is being constructed was acquired legitimately by the government.

According to him, some private institutions including Waterstone Realty Limited had an interest in the said land but the government has compensated them with alternative properties.