The Ghana Oil and Gas Service Providers Association (GOGSPA) have declared its support for the construction of a free port at Atuabo.<\/p>\n
This is a sharp u-turn from the association\u2019s earlier stance which kicked against the move.<\/p>\n
The association together with some other stakeholders in the industry kicked against the construction of the port which is expected to cost 650-million-dollars.<\/p>\n
But the association in a press statement says the project when completed will create wealth for Ghana and generate employment and this will transform the local economy of Atuabo and its environs.<\/p>\n
It also believes it would not only complement the Takoradi Port and ease congestion in the Metropolis, but will also decentralize development across the country.<\/p>\n
\u2018Currently, as a result of the oil discoveries, there has been an increase in the movement of heavy duty vehicular trucks competing with other road users within the Sekondi\/Takoradi metropolis as the trucks carry equipment needed for offshore activities. With a dedicated shore base facility, the movement of trucks in the metropolis would reduce and the current congestion in the twin-city of Sekondi\/Takoradi will ease significantly. It would not only complement the Takoradi Port and ease the congestion in the STMA Metropolis, but also as a way of decentralizing development across the country.<\/p>\n
According to GOGSPA they are upbeat about the project.<\/p>\n
\u2018We very happy with the move for a Free Port at Atuabo, it is long overdue. It is important that we spread development across the country where the indigenes would see the need to stay at home and not migrate to urban centers\u2019.<\/p>\n
Atuabo Port infrastructure according to the association will allow indigenous Oil and Gas companies to increase their operations which have been hampered to date as a result of lack of suitable infrastructure.<\/p>\n
\u2018The Port will guarantee the use of Ghana’s built capacity in the oil and gas industry after the oil reserves are depleted. The Atuabo Free Port will increase infrastructure in the Western Region especially in the Nzema Land in line with Tema Metropolitan Authority. The Port will act as a catalyst for the establishment of a petrochemical Industry and thereby increase business opportunities for service providers at the enclave\u2019.<\/p>\n
It says players such as the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority must note that, the Atuabo Free Port is rather going to complement their efforts in moving the country forward and commends government for its efforts to expand the Takoradi Port and also giving cabinet approval for the development of Atuabo Free Port.<\/p>\n
\u2018We hope the free port project, which is currently before Parliament will go through the necessary processes with the urgency it deserves and approval given to the operator, Lonrho to commence work. It is also the fervent hope of GOGSPA that, as we develop and join the community of oil producing nations, it would be vital to have facilities such as a dedicated port for oil and gas operations from storage, fabrications and maintenance work all at one location\u2019.<\/p>\n
Government of Ghana has 45 per cent shares in the project, although it will be fully funded by Lonhro and its partners, subject to Parliamentary approval.<\/p>\n
The Atuabo Free Port is expected to become a West African hub for the logistics, and serve vessels and the oil and gas industry.<\/p>\n
By: \u00a0Vivian Kai Mensah\/citifmonline.com\/Ghana<\/p>\n
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The Ghana Oil and Gas Service Providers Association (GOGSPA) have declared its support for the construction of a free port at Atuabo. This is a sharp u-turn from the association\u2019s earlier stance which kicked against the move. The association together with some other stakeholders in the industry kicked against the construction of the port which […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":21288,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[],"tags":[23,22,4],"yoast_head":"\n