Director General of Ghana Maritime Authority, Rev. Dr. Peter Issaka Azumah, has expressed his concerns over the standards of maritime infrastructure in the country including the expansion projects of ports in the country and has called on the Ministry of Transport to support his office to push for compliance by all sector stakeholders.
Responding to a question a posed during a press briefing if when the Minister of Transport, paid a days working visit to GMA, director general indicated that, as an authority and regulator it was their duty to see to it that all maritime infrastructure meet the necessary requirements and standards of the international maritime community. He said the authority will always be called to answer issues of defects when they arose.
“We have made a recommendation to the minister to issue a document of compliance to Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA). As a matter of fact in some cases yes, in some cases no. we are in discussions with the ports to ensure that we work together to meet international standards so that we are seen as countries like USA and UK expect us to be”
According to maritime boss, whenever there was an international inspection and defects were detected, it is the maritime authority that will be called to answer. He revealed that very soon the USA was sending a delegation to do such inspections.
“I have just received a letter from the USA, that the USA Coast Guards are coming to do auditing on our ports and if there were any defects in that respect we may have to explain”
He expressed total confidence in the leadership at GPHA and called on them to cooperate with the maritime authority to see to it that Tema Port and Takoradi Port meet international Standards
“I believe the director general of GPHA, Mr. Anamoo understands these kinds of issue and we will get through that and do the right thing”
Hon. Fifi Kwetey in response to the issue of compliance pledged his ministries total commitment in making sure that such regulations are adhered to in order to avoid the unnecessary spending of resources. He called for a master plan to resolve these issues.
“There has been some discussions with GMA boss, who intimated about the need to look at a certain dispensation relating to maritime infrastructure. He mentioned about how the port is a regulator and an operator and in terms of advising government, we need another body to be able to give opinions maritime infrastructure projects. Our concern generally is to have a big master plan that will help the country so we can efficiently deploy resources to the best possible use”
Tema Port Expansion
The first phase of the expansion works will see the dredging and reclamation of lands, building of breakwater and building of five more berths.
The second phase of the expansion project will see the extension of breakwaters and the construction of three more additional berths.
The final phase projected to be completed in 2018 will see the development of a rig repair facility and the development of an oil services terminal.
A total of $1.5 billion has been committed to make the Tema port 45 times bigger its current size.
