Transport Minister tours Takoradi Port

Mrs. Dzifa Attivor, Minister of Transport, on Wednesday said the expansion project of the Takoradi Port forms part of a master plan to develop the country’s ports.

The Minister, who was speaking to the press during a visit to the Takoradi Port, said the master plan was drawn up before the country’s discovery of oil and gas in commercial quantities.

Mr. Kurt Levrau, Project Manager of Jan-De-Nul, contractor of the project, accompanied by Mr. Van Aken Yves, African representative of the company, conducted Mrs. Attivor round to inspect progress of work.

Mr. Richard Anamoo, Director-General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and Captain James Owusu Koranteng, Director of Takoradi Port, accompanied the Minister.

Mrs. Attivor said the Tema Port will also be improved when the Takoradi Port expansion project is completed, adding that, the railway sector is expected to be developed alongside the Ports because many of the country’s exports are transported by rail to the Ports.

Mrs. Attivor expressed satisfaction at the progress of the expansion work so far, saying that, the project is going to make it possible for bigger vessels to berth at the Takoradi Port.

She said funding for the first phase of the Takoradi Port expansion project is fully secured and about 75 per cent of workers engaged in the project were recruited from the Western Region.

Mr. Anamoo said many vessels are now berthing at the Tema Port because of the on-going expansion works at the Takoradi Port and this is putting pressure on the Port.

He said the GPHA has met stakeholders to find out how to ensure speedy turnaround of vessels at the Tema Port and also acquiring more container scanners at the Port.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Attivor has also inspected progress of work on the construction of the 30 kilometre Sekondi-Kojokrom-Takoradi shuttle rail line at Sekondi.

She said the project, which is being undertaken by Amandi Holdings, could help ease transportation problems caused by heavy traffic in Sekondi-Takoradi.

Mrs. Attivor urged the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) to support the project because it would benefit the country.

Mr. Alidu Sadique, Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Railway Development Authority, said the project has been delayed because of some temporary structures and utility facilities in the project area.

He said the structures would be demolished and the utility facilities relocated for the project to go on.

Source: GNA