Gov’t spends US$50m on coastal protection projects

Coastal communities within three districts in the Western Region could now allay their fears of losing lifetime investment due to persistent tidal waves and sea erosion.

The close to150 million US dollar Coastal Protection project being implemented by various contractors in Ahanta West, STMA and the Shama districts are funded by the government of Ghana.

Dr. Kwaku Agyeman Mensah, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, together with Mr Hubert Wusuansa, the Acting Director of Hydrological Department on Thursday visited the projects sites to ascertain work done.

At Adjua in the Ahanta West, Amandi Holdings Limited is the contractor on the project.

Mr. Dror Tahar, Business Development Director of Amandi said the company has completed the mobilization stage, and that, the actual work, costing 51million dollars would start in earnest with the development of a second quarry site to supply materials.

Mr. Tahar said the project would encourage knowledge sharing as well as employ locals.

Mr. Josephh Essien, a resident of the said the project would be beneficial to the people since the breakwater would help the fishing community.

At New Takoradi, in the STMA, work was35 per cent complete on the one kilometer sea Defense project, estimated to cost 35 million dollars.

The Aboadze project in the Shama district is an important one, since the extent of erosion could threaten the West African Gas Pipeline and the Aboadze Thermal Plant.

Messrs Xara Developers are the implementers of the 28.5 million dollar project.

The various contractors are expected to complete the projects within twenty four months.

The Minister, who was impressed with the various stages of work, said government would continue to invest in essential areas of the economy to ensure that lives and properties were protected.