The Chief Executive of PSC Tema Shipyard, Osman Sulemana, has appealed to the government for investments to develop the Tema drydock shipyard.
According to him, the shipyard will require over $50 million to restore some of the age-old infrastructure in use since its inception.
The facility, which services various types of vessels, has seen little development since it was built by Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, in 1964.
Detailing the challenges, during a familiarisation tour, Mr. Sulemana explained to the Deputy Minister of Transport, Dorcas Affo-Toffey, that the company could generate significant revenue for the government if capital investments were made.
“We will need a minimum of about $50 million to revive some of the age-old infrastructure,” he appealed.
He lamented the poor infrastructural state of the yard since its creation: “Successive governments have not been able to put in the necessary investments to develop the entire value chain of the shipyard in terms of the aging infrastructure.”
Expressing optimism about the yard’s future, Mr. Sulemana revealed that the president is working on securing support for its revival.
“It is the commitment of President Mahama to develop the shipyard. In the coming years, I’m hopeful that we will be able to revamp the entire value chain of the shipyard. It is not only the drydock but we also have fabrication, shipbuilding and others.”
“I know the president is working on securing financing to rehabilitate the place”, he explained.
In her response, the Deputy Minister for Transport expressed the Ministry’s resolve to ensure the shipyard’s revamp.
The shipyard currently hosts two drydocks. The largest measures 277 meters in length and 46 meters in width; the smaller one measures 106 by 12.6 meters.
PSC Tema Shipyard services vessels from several African countries, including Nigeria. Depending on the repair needs, vessels may spend between two weeks and over six months in drydock.
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Source: myjoyonline.com
