Keta to get industrial salt estate for petrochemical industry

Government in partnership with Zoomlion Ghana Limited will this year establish an Industrial Salt Estate at Keta in the Volta Region, to produce sufficient volumes of the product to support the petrochemical industry.

“The Keta Industrial Salt Estate is going to generate and support the downstream petrochemical and industrial sector,” Chief Executive Officer of Zoomlion,  Dr Joseph Siaw Agyepong made this known when he paid a courtesy call on the Awoemefia of the Anlo State Togbe Sri III at his residence in Keta.

The first phase of the salt project estimated at $191 million is expected to produce about 600,000 metric tonnes annually within the first four years, while the second phase starts in the fifth year with an estimated value of 1.2 million metric tonnes.

Dr Agyepong explained that the Region is economically viable and as a result his outfit is highly elated to be associated with the Keta Industrial Salt Estate.

He said the recent oil find in the area called for massive salt production to feed the industry, which is expected to start by the end of 2013, adding that “Keta has enough natural resources to be transformed into an industrial hub”.

Dr Agyepong expressed gratitude to the Awoemefia for his blessings and pledged that the Board of the project would be structured to give the Anlo State equity.

“This project is going to be more localised to ensure that people in the Volta Region derive maximum benefits.”

Togbui Sri expressed optimism that the project would open up the area for development.

He however expressed concern over the environmental challenges associated with salt mining and cautioned the project managers to ensure that the Keta Industrial Salt Estate becomes a blessing and not a curse.

“My plea is that you will be extremely vigilant so that your good ideas may not cause any hazards in my town,” he said.

The MP for the area Mr Richard Quashigah expressed confidence in the project, explaining that it would improve the employment opportunities in the area.

According to the Project Co-ordinator, Selasie Tamakloe the aqua-culture zones spanning 29 communities with about 6,000 acres include communities such as Tregui, Adzato, Klomikpota, Kpordui, Agortoe, Agorvinu, and Atasiavi.

The more than 40 salt mining communities with an area size of 25,000 acres include Seva, Anyako, Aveli, Atiavi Glime, Aboilorve, Tsiame and Anlo-Afiadenyigba.

Mr Tamakloe said salt could be converted into caustic soda for aluminum production and gave the assurance that all risk assessments have been carried out and therefore the project will not affect the livelihood of the people.

The Municipal Chief Executive, Sylvester Tornyeava lauded the project and appealed for more local content.

Source: GNA