President Akufo-Addo has commissioned four major infrastructural projects to boost operations at the Takoradi Port in the Western Region.
President Nana Akufo-Addo commissioned the newly developed state -of -the art Dry Bulk Terminal at the Takoradi Port as part of the Port’s expansion project and commissioned a Container and Multipurpose Terminal also known as Atlantic Terminal Service at the Port.
The President also cut sod for the construction of an Oil and Gas Services Terminal and a Prime Meridian Docks Floating Dry Dock and Ship maintenance facility at the Port.
The new dry bulk project worth $85 million would be able to handle at least 30 million tons of Cargo per annum. The current set-up of equipment can also deliver 20 million tons per annum.
This is a significant increase over the existing throughput which has averaged 6.3 million tons per annum.
The project comprises of main terminal superstructure facilities, more than 110,000 square meters of pavement, over 3,000 meters of drains, 33-kiloVolts primary substation and electrical power systems.
It has provided fully automated conveyor systems for the main cargo groups including bauxite, manganese, and clinker. It has two modern shiploaders for the handling of export cargo and an eco-hopper for the imports.
Four more eco-hoppers are expected in the next few months to complete the full set-up of the terminal. The eco-hoppers will be installed and fitted to significantly reduce dusty emissions during cargo operations.
The Atlantic Terminal Services (ATSL) was developed by Ibistek Limited, a wholly-owned Ghanaian company in partnership with Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority, AFC Equity with financial support from the Ghana Infrastructure Investment Fund (GIIF), Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and ACCESS Bank.
He noted that the four interventions will enhance cargo handling capacity, maintenance and repair of ships and also meet the demands of the oil and gas sector within the Takoradi Port enclave.
He said the objective of the expansion and transformation of the Takoradi Port by the government was to help boost the Ghanaian economy while boosting regional and international trade.
The President mentioned that his government is determined to improve maritime trade and position it as a major economic growth engine.
The President said the Takoradi Port has over the years been the preserve of cargo exported out of the country while the Tema Port has been the preserve of cargo imported into the county.
“So the Takoradi Port has been an export oriented port. But my government has never been a believer of this notion”.
“So this government has worked hard to modernize and diversify the Takoradi Port’s reliance on the export of raw materials including bauxite and manganese which has never yielded high value returns to the country.
The Transport Minister, Kweku Ofori Asiamah commended the president for his determination in ensuring that the various components in the Takoradi Port expansion are executed since his government came to power.
“Mr President, you promised to transform the port of Takoradi to a major facility in the West African sub region and you have done it”, he pointed out.
Source: Ghana/Starrfm.com.gh/103.5FM/Kobina Amuah
