(Ecofin Agency) - Out of the 395 land owners who were expropriated in the framework of the Maria Gleta thermal plant project in the Abomey-Calavi area, in Benin, 310 have already received compensation from the government.

As for the remaining 85 expropriated, 55 of them have submitted the compensation files but these are incomplete. This is what told the press the MD of the national agency of land and domains also president of the expropriation and compensation commission, Victorien Kougblenou, and the project’s coordinator, Emeric Tokoudagba.

“We are urging the 30 expropriated who are yet to register themselves to do so because to compensation money is available,” said M. Kougblenou.

“The zone which is to host the thermal plant extends over 20 hectares.Compensation’s payment to expropriated, on order of the government, started on December 1, 2016. Halted, it now restarts after the review of some details relayed to the commission for appreciation,” reports Actu Bénin.

The Maria Gléta plant, which was the subject of various debates during the regime of Yayi Boni, the previous president, termed as non-viable then, is expected to produce 120 MW.

Souha Touré