Minister calls for streamlining of operations at Tema shipyard

Tema, April 22, GNA - The Minister of Transport, Mr Mike Hammah, on Tuesday appealed to the management of PSC Tema Shipyard Limited to streamline its operations to effectively support the maritime sector. Mr Hammah said more investments must be put into the company to develop the dry dock in order to attract more vessels into the country. He made the call when he interacted with the management of the company and toured the shipyard during a working visit. The Minister further stated that services such as the dry dock must be efficiently operational for Ghana to become the maritime hub of the sub-region noting that maritime could not survive without an efficient dry dock.

Mr Hammah asked management not to do a cosmetic diagnostic assessment of circumstances that led to a sit down strike action by the junior workers of the company late last year, but rather find a lasting solution to the problem to avoid its reoccurrence. He said such industrial actions in the sector do not augur well for the country, as vessel it would make owners reluctant to operate in the country's coast. Mr Omar Mohd Yatim, Group Managing Directors' Representative of Tema Shipyard, said the board of directors of the company had approved a 5.37 million US dollar-budget for the rehabilitation of the 43.5 acre shipyard land, over the next three years. Mr Yatim said the rehabilitation programme would involve the repair of existing facilities and equipment as well as the acquisition of new machinery and tools. He stated that the company had submitted its 'expression of interest' in response to an invitation by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) for a joint venture in the management and operation of the Takoradi Shipyard. Government has a 40 percent equity share in the company while Boustead Penang Shipyard Sdn Bhd, a private firm, owns 60 percent equity share. 22 April 09