A tussle has ensued between the Ghana Trade Fair Company (GTFC) and tenant companies on its premises over the payment of compensation to tenants who have been given notices to move to pave the way for the development of the trade fair centre into an expo-city. While the tenants are demanding compensation from the GTFC before leaving the premises, the GTFC says it is not under any obligation to pay compensation and so will not comply with the demand. The tenants contended that they had put up permanent structures at the site and that when they were doing so, the GTFC authorities did not inform them of any plan to develop the site into an expo city, which would warrant the removal of their structures at a later date. However, the GTFC said the tenants had no title to the land and that it was wrong for any of them to put up permanent structures there. Other tenants also claimed that the structures they occupied were dilapidated when they took over and had to use hundreds of millions of cedis to rehabilitate them and put them in a shape conducive for business transactions. They said they should be compensated for a11 monies spent for rehabilitation and for putting up the structures. Mr Edmund Annan, a salesman at the permanent stand of Sanyo said that his company put up the structure about 20 years ago and informed the then administration of the GTFC of the construction. He said the administration at the time gave them the green light and wondered why they had now been asked to move. “We think we should be paid compensation for the money we used in putting up this structure, he said. Mrs Winifred Golomeke, a fashion designer at the trade fair site, said she spent about ¢100 million to rehabilitate he building she currently occupied. She said when she took over the building it was an abandoned one in a very deplorable condition, adding that if they want me to move then they should pay me all the money I spent". But the Chief Executive of the GTFC, Esther Ofori said: This is an exhibition centre, No one is supposed to put up a permanent structure here. The fact that you have invested in the land does not mean you have title to it. Anyone who out of ignorance decides to put up permanent structures without having title to a piece of land cannot be given compensation," she said. Ms Ofori said when she took over six rears ago, she urged all developers within the site to stop the lavish development because the land belonged to the government and those developers did not have my title to it. She said she also made them aware through several letters that plans existed for the development of the site into a modern trade complex. Ms Ofori said she asked all tenants to re-apply which they did and that the tenancy agreement stated that if the GTFC decided to take over the land, no compensation would be paid. "That agreement signed in 2003 overrides all agreements and they were made to know about it. That agreement is the most current and the only one that is binding," she said. A copy of the tenancy agreement, which she made available to the Daily Graphic, states among other things, that: "The premises has been rented on 'as it is basis". It states further that: "For the avoidance of doubt, it is emphasized that the premises is a temporary structure and would be demolished after the due notice has been given, especially during the implementation of the master plan. No compensation shall be paid for the removal or demolition of the structure. The tenant is once again reminded that this is a yearly tenancy and not a lease." The tussle began when the GTFC started issuing notices to the tenants to prepare to leave to pave the way for the development of the centre into a modern trade fair complex. The complex is to include hotels, restaurants and shopping malls and is to be connected to the hospitality facilities at the adjoining beach. One of the letters issued in April, this year, states that: "We wish to inform you that the company has concluded the preparation of a master plan which would guide the future development of the centre and turn it into a multi-purpose expo-city. "We have already indicated on several occasions that the implementation of the master plan would certainly involve 'the demolition of almost all structures at the centre, especially those which do not fall within the plan. The exercises would further be undertaken without the payment of any compensation," it added. The letter stated further that: ''You are also aware that all tenants occupying premises at the centre, whether the structures were put up by the tenant or not, do not have titles to the premises, since all tenancies are yearly. "We consider it absolutely necessary to remind you that the implementation of the master plan is being pursued vigorously and also to caution you not to engage in any further capital refurbishment of your structure, since no compensation would be paid if it becomes necessary for the structure to' be demolished during the implementation of the master plan," the statement added. The site for the trade fair was acquired by the Nkrumah regime in 1963. Plans to attract investors to further develop the site have been on the drawing board fur many years because the government has not settled its obligations with the traditional authorities of La, who are the owners of the land. Source: Daily Graphic