$1 billion is needed to expand Tema Port – Prez. Mahama

• Posted on March 26, 2014March 26, 2014
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

About $1 billion is needed to expand the Tema Port so as to accommodate huge volume of goods, President John Dramani has stated.

President Mahama made this known when he inaugurated some handling equipment belonging to the Meridian Port Services Friday at Tema.

These included ultra-modern ship-to-shore and ship-to-ship cranes to provide faster services.

Previously manual cranes were employed. The new cranes are equipped with modern features and would help to boost terminal capacity on the water front considerably, and add to productivity as well as enable faster vessel operation.

The President appealed to private sector participants interested in the port expansion projects to draw synergies with the Ghana Ports & Harbours Authority for execution.

He also urged workers at the ports to handle their activities with dispatch to stimulate investment in the country.

Furthermore, he said expansion works at the Takoradi Port had already began, adding that the expansion works at the Tema Port would further encourage trade with neighbouring countries.

Additionally, he said his administration was reviving the railway and road transport sectors to provide traveling alternatives to Ghanaians.

Apart from the Takoradi-Kumasi railway line, he said government would construct the Tema-Akosombo railway lines to link the Volta Lake to Buipe in the Northern Region.

Mohammed Samara, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Meridian Port Services, reiterated his outfit’s commitment to provide transport and adequate infrastructure to the port to relieve congestion.

The introduction of the new cranes, he added, would create additional jobs for Ghanaians.

In a remark, Alhaji Asoma Banda, Board Chairman of the company, said the company had established a four megawatts electricity plant at the port, adding that it would continue to ensure safety and efficiency on its premises.

By Samuel Boadi