Cabinet has directed the Ministry of Transport to hand over the operations of the PSC Tema Shipyard and Dry Dock Company Limited (PSCT) to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).
Per the decision, Government expects the Tema Shipyard to attract the needed resources to venture into the building of Floating Production, Storage and Offloading (FPSO) Vessels for the oil and gas industry.
It would also continue to provide services to the ports and harbours and related sectors in the short to medium term, a statement issued by the Minister of Communications, Dr Omane Boamah Monday announced.
The decision to hand over the shipyard was taken at the 41st meeting of Cabinet chaired by President John Dramani Mahama.
TOR takes over offshore mooring facility
At the said meeting, Cabinet also approved the takeover of an offshore mooring facility from Trafigura, free from encumbrances, at the end of the concession by the Ministry of Petroleum.
The Ministry will thereafter transfer the facility to the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) for its use over a period of fifteen (15) years.
“This is part of government’s initiatives to comprehensively reposition TOR in Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector to offer regular supply of petroleum products to Ghanaians and our neighbouring countries,” the statement said.
“The decisions taken to transfer the PSCT to the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and the provision of a mooring facility for the use of TOR are expected to contribute significantly to efforts being made to create more jobs through diversification and value addition to our raw materials,” it added.
The mooring facility, which is a loading buoy anchored offshore, will also serve as a point of interconnection for tankers loading or offloading gas or liquid petroleum products.
Affirmative action bill, financing for Kumasi Central Market approved
Other decisions taken by Cabinet are the approval of an Affirmative Action Bill and a $97,450,000 financing for the second tranche of the modernization of the Kumai Central Market and Kejetia Infrastructure Projects.
Ongoing works to modernize the Kumasi Central Market and the Kejetia Infrastructure Project being worked on by 340 workers has reached an advance stage and will provide a modern and befitting environment for traders and their customers particularly women who regularly visit the market.
The Affirmative Action Bill seeks to advance and ensure women empowerment with the view to according females the enabling and progressive environment in Ghana.
President Mahama urged all Ghanaians including, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, non-governmental organisations, workers, academia and students to support the passage of the bill as it makes its way to parliament for consideration and approval.
“Considering the progress Ghana has made in her democratic journey, the Affirmative Action Bill is deemed to be appropriate, responsive, fit for purpose, progressive and long overdue”, President Mahama said during the discussions on the Bill.
By FHCB|3news.com|Ghana
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