The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) signed a contract with a consortium of consultants to conduct feasibility study on the Port of Keta.
Led by a German firm M/s Sellhorn Ingenieurgesellschaft mbH, the consortium is tasked to deliver a full feasibility study and master plan, including development and investment strategy for the Port.
The first feasibility indicators are expected within seven months.
Other members of the consortium are ProTeln Service GmbH, PSP Architekten, Ingenieure and a Ghanaian team from Yogarib Engineering Services Limited.
Letter of Notice to Commence to the consultant to officially begin the feasibility on June 23, in accordance with the conditions of the contract.
A statement issued by the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority said port infrastructure development is an involving and time consuming activity that requires careful decisions backed by empirical facts and detailed port and public infrastructure planning considerations.
The G.P.H.A said the realization of Keta Port is beginning with the Master Plan and Feasibility Studies’ consulting services, scheduled to commence in June 2020.
“Extensive multi-stakeholder engagement sessions are expected to be conducted during the feasibility study period, including market search, investment shows, etc”.
The GPHA said baring any problems arising from the coronavirus, investment plan for the Port of Keta project will be completed.
“It is anticipated that in the absence of any major delays attributable to the covid-pandemic, the studies will be completed by Feb. 2021 with investment strategy plan for the port’s development,” it stated.
At the virtual signing ceremony on June 9, the Director General of GPHA, Michael Luguje acknowledged the limitations imposed on all parties in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
He, however, admonished the team to take all necessary steps to employ their best professional abilities to deliver the terms of the contract since the Port of Keta is an important development agenda for the government and people of Ghana.
Director of the Port of Keta, Dr. Alexander Yaw Adusei Jnr. thanked the Director General and management of GPHA for the committed investment in the project and success in appointing a consultant to aid the commencement of the most critical part of the development of Port of Keta.
Dr Adusei Jnr expressed the hope that the Volta Region will soon have a modern port and maritime logistics hub for Ghana and a strategic cargo route through the Volta Region and the Eastern Corridor for Ghana’s northern neighbours.
The interest in the Port of Keta, it said, was postponed until the early 2009 after the Keta Sea Defense Project along with the heightened interest in the development of marine facilities for the then-budding oil and gas exploration interests in Ghana.
The idea was also highly sustained in 2011-2012 due to the commercial viability of the Fish Landing Site prospects, in Keta.
It said over time, various port development interests have approached the GPHA to execute a “Keta Port” project.
For an entirely fresh port and port-city infrastructure like the Keta project, it said “the commitment and time invested and achieved so far is very impressive with the hope that all other stages or preparatory works will be given such equal devotion to see to the realization of the Port of Keta.
By 3news.com|Ghana