President John Dramani Mahama has charged the Ministry of Transport, Customs, the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA), and all stakeholders in the Port business to consolidate some charges at the Port.
He said “the Port Authorities, Customs, Ministry of Transport and all stakeholders in the Port business should take a look at the multiple charges that they continue to charge. There are some of the services that can be consolidated to enable a single charge.”
The President gave the directive when he paid a working visit to the Tema Port as part of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority’s 30th anniversary.
He noted that there are lot of complaints by importers and exporters about some charges at the Port which needs to be addressed.
“There are lots of complaints about some charges at the Port that add up to make a very big fee. So I would ask that the Ministry of Transport should sit will all the stakeholders to see how those issues can be rationalised.”
The President was however quick to add that, the single window is factoring into its system the rationalization of the fees charged at the Port, adding that once the single window is implemented, it will rationalize all the fees being charged at the Port to bring relief to clearing agents and all who do business at the Port.
Mahama commissions net mending wharf
The President earlier commissioned a five million dollar reconstructed net mending wharf at the Tema fishing harbour. He later commissioned some new marine crafts and unveiled a plaque at the new bulk cargo handling jetty.
A tape was also cut for four new 28 million euro mobile harbour cranes. The cranes are capable of lifting 140 tons across deck and can handle any kind of cargo.
Later in the day, President Mahama toured the new revenue centre which seeks to afford clearing agents the opportunity to make all payments at a one stop shop.
He then visited the new reefer container terminal which has the capacity to handle about 840 containers, from the previous maximum capacity of 630 containers.
He then made a final stop at the new 130-bed capacity International Maritime Hospital where he toured the facility before his departure.
The Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Richard Anamoo, noted that the newly commissioned projects are geared towards the Port expansion agenda to meet its current demand.
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By: Elvis Washington/citifmonline.com/Ghana