A recently posted article on republicoftogo.com website:Has a...

A recently posted article on republicoftogo.com website:

Has a nice photo of the Minister of Mines and Energy on the PR trail...

10/09/2011

http://www.republicoftogo.com/Toutes-les-rubriques/Politique/Les-populations-des-regions-minieres-choyees-par-le-gouvernement

Key quotes - "new company" (although no direct mention of Sultan.)

Togo is hoping to boost production of phosphate which is a huge demand on the international market. After years of mismanagement, the OTP has been liquidated to make way for a new company and major investments are in progress.



Populations in mining pampered by the government

The Minister of Mines and Energy, Dammipi Noupokou (photo), Development and his colleague at the base, Victory Dogb?-Tom?gah, conducted Saturday at Dagbati (55km north-east of Lom?) to launch the work of electrification and extension of the network and Agbodrafo Hahoto?.
Residents of mining areas and Dagbati Hahoto? have simultaneously received the first tranche of compensation on the land rental to the company operating the phosphate.
Republicoftogo.com: People living near mining sites complain that they do not harvest some of the fruits of exploitation. The authorities seem to finally act.
Dammipi Noupokou: The Government is fully committed to bring out the inhabitants of mining regions of poverty.
The visit is part of the implementation of social projects in the region. There first the electrification component of several towns and a school, then there is the construction of classrooms and, finally, the payment to the inhabitants of a first tranche of 100 million CFA francs, or 25% of the total sum due in respect of arrears of rent of land by the Togolese Phosphates Office (OTP). 4430 people are affected. The balance will be paid in late December and early next year.
The overall project is managed by the Ministry of Mines and Energy and meets one of the campaign promises of President Faure Gnassingbe had committed to improving the living conditions of people in mining areas.
Togo is hoping to boost production of phosphate which is a huge demand on the international market. After years of mismanagement, the OTP has been liquidated to make way for a new company and major investments are in progress.