[2001]DLCHRAJ5900 • February 16, 2001 • Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice
SAFARI MOTOR WORKS AND LAND COMMISSION AND JAPAN MOTORS
Safari Motor Works was allocated plot No. 55A, Ring Road South Industrial Area, Accra by the Lands Commission in 1974 under a leasehold registered as Land Registry No.1690/1974. The complainant took possession and reclaimed the swampy land by pumping water and filling it, incurring costs of approximately C80,000. They fenced the plot and commenced construction of a three-storey building, spending about C30,000 on foundations. Construction ceased after the foundations. In 1990, the Lands Commission issued a Notice of ReEntry and repossessed the land in 1991, reallocating it to Japan Motors. Safari Motor Works sought redress for replacement land and compensation for improvements made.
read moreOn the 21st September, 1998 the Commission received a letter dated 17" September, 1998 from the High Office of the President. Attached to this letter was a petition by the Complainant herein to the Head of State, his Excellency the President together with certain annxures. The letter from the Office of the President highlighted certain considerations for redress and requested the Commission "for thorough investigations and appropriate advice". The said letter indicated that the matter was before the Court and that in the view of the complainant "out-of-court settlement is the best option". In its petition to the President, the complainant asked for redress as follows:- i. That the Lands Commission Secretariat allocates a replacement plot of similar size in an industrial area of Accra. He requested that all charges should be waived since he had already paid all development, surveying, pillaring and other charges. ii. Refund of all costs incurred by him in respect of fence wall, recl...