Nzema Youth demonstrate support for Atuabo freeport project
The Freeport sited at Atuabo in the Ellembelle district of the Western Region, will offer Ghana a strategic opportunity to become a regional hub for support services in the West African sub-region.
Members of the Nzema Youth for Peace and Development (NYPD) noted that the establishment of the Atuabo Freeport, located in the heart of the new oil enclave, would open up the area to the international market and promote the socio-economic activities of the people.
The NYPD has therefore condemned a group of people criticizing the location of the Freeport that it would pose an economic and security threat to the nation.
Addressing a press conference at Anochie in the Western Region, Mr Abizi Morkeh, President of the NYPD, flanked by his executive members, noted that the establishment of the Freeport would enhance their economic development and that of the entire nation.
He said while the farm lands of the people were destroyed to pave way for the establishment of the freeport, they were equally having challenges with their fishing business which served as the main source of their livelihood.
They therefore expect that the project when completed, would create jobs for the indigenes, giving the assurance that the area had qualified people to take up various jobs demanded, while a lot of the people were also upgrading themselves to become skilful to win employment in the industry.
On security, he indicated that such a huge and beneficial project would not be established without putting security and other stringent measures in place saying that the Navy Personnel and other security agencies would continue to be alert.
Mr Morkeh urged the five Members of Parliament (MP) who had taken legal action against the establishment of the project, to rescind their decision of seeking an appeal after the case had been dealt with, to give the go ahead of the project.
Describing the action of the MPs as “blockers of decentralization and national development and anti-development agents”, he said their action was only stalling the progress of the project, and called for a halt to that.
The NYPD questioned why the five MPs did not put up their protest when the bill on the project was laid before Parliament, but rather waited after it had been passed before raising an objection.
The MPs are Mr Kwaku Kwarteng, Obuasi West; Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah, Takoradi; Mr Joseph Cudjoe; Mr Kofi Brako, Tema Central; and Madam Hawa Koomson of Ewutu Senya East.
The Atuabo Freeport project has four distinct areas within the development to create a one-stop shop for the oil and gas industry.
They include logistics base to support the supply chain to offshore platform, provision of subsea fabrication, oil rig and support vessel repair base and business support infrastructure.
The government has 10 percent shares in the Atuabo Freeport Ghana Limited, with Lonrho having 35 per cent, other institutional investors 20 percent, and Ghanaian Equity Investor Group 35 percent.
Source: GNA