The Ministry of Roads and Highways (MRH), has lauded an initiative by the Meridian Port Services (MPS), for the enhancement of Tema Roundabout to alleviate traffic congestion to improve traffic flow.
The project, according to the ministry, will facilitate the free flow of goods and services for the benefit of users and also create a new road network near the future port.
The project will also create jobs for over 1,000 Ghanaians.
This was made known at a sod-cutting event at the Tema roundabout to mark the commencement of the CSR initiative.
Minister of Roads and Highways, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, stated that “Ghana is now the hub for shipping activities in the sub-region.”
He said the Tema Motorway roundabout currently suffers from serious traffic bottlenecks, which impede the movement of private and commercial vehicles within Tema, which affects inter-city commuters who use the roundabout when commuting to and from the Greater Accra Region, as well as the Eastern and Volta Regions.
This congestion also hinders the flow of cargo in and out of the port. The upgrade therefore will significantly ease traffic for all commuters going in and out of the city, thereby reducing travel time and improving productivity.
“The initiative will also contribute to the convenience of the Trans West African Highway for travel to and from neighbouring countries,” the minister said.
He added that “We are pleased to work with our partners in MPS on this project. The port development plan will greatly benefit the economy and this initiative is a good example of Corporate Social Responsibility, as it will help substantially to ease congestion in the Tema communities. We congratulate MPS for this bold initiative.”
MPS, a company jointly owned by APM Terminals and Bolloré Transport & Logistics, in partnership with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, is poised to start a major expansion of the Tema Port, designed to leverage Ghana’s strategic location in the heart of West Africa, to make it a major trading hub and attract more investment.
The CEO of MPS, Mohamed Samara, stressed that “this associated CSR project is probably the largest social investment of its kind undertaken by a private company and I am proud that this initiative has been so strongly endorsed by the MPS Board of Directors.”
Commenting on the local content for the Tema Port expansion project itself, Chairman of the MPS Board, Dr. Alhaji Asuma Banda, said, “Ninety-five percent of the materials for all works will be procured locally. With the exception of sophisticated container gantry cranes, a significant quantity of plant equipment will also be sourced locally,” he said.
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By: citifmonline.com/Ghana