Government approves $8million for the procurement of two ferries

Accra, Nov. 4, GNA - Cabinet has approved $8 million for the procurement of two ferries to aid transportation on the Volta Lake. Mr Mike Allen Hammah, Minister of Transport who made this known at the floor of Parliament on Thursday said the Millennium Challenge

Account is also constructing two additional ferries to be ready in December 2011 to ply the Adawso- Ekye-Amanfrom crossing. The Minister, who is also Member of Parliament for Effutu said the ferry- MV 4th Republic, which operated along the Agordeke- Kpando crossing sunk in August 2009 while undergoing repairs at Akosombo.

Mr Hammah was answering a question posed by Mr Raphael Kofi Ahaligah National Democratic Congress Member for Afram Plains South. He said provisions have been made in the 2011 budget for the construction of four landing sites at Dzemeni on the Volta Lake in the District.

Mr Hammah said China Harbour Engineering, ACI-USA and Dominion Mart Associates had signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ghana Shippers Authority to make the Bonkra Port operational. He said a feasibility report on the inland Port project had identified railway connectivity as essential to the viability of the facility.

Mr Hammah said the ministry is considering the engagement of a Transaction Advisor to facilitate the project execution with prospective investors.