Transport Minister Asks Landlocked Countries To Still Consider Ghana For Maritime Trade Despite Impediment
The Transport Ministry has assured drivers and Transport Owners that Government, is working assiduously to halt the artificial congestion at the Transit Terminal to landlocked countries, of the Ghana Ports And Harbours Authority.
According to The Sector Minister, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, Government has contracted a competent Company, to deal with the provision of Tracking Devices. The absence of The Tracking Devices has brought the needless congestion, at the Transit Terminal. This was revealed when The Transport Minister and Trade Minister, Dr. Ekow Spio-Garbrah, paid a working visit to the Terminal, to inspect the level of congestion, caused by the absence of The Truckling Device for Drivers.
Ibrahim Obeng-Mensah, reports that, the Ghana Ports And Harbours Authority, (GPHA) may lose its chances of becoming the preferred destination among other countries, with regards to maritime trade, within West And Central Africa. Although Ghana’s Ports were adjudged the best, in West Africa, it risks losing the position, due to seeming continuous refusal, on the part of Government to facilitate the provision of Trucking Devices for Drivers at The Transit Terminal of GHPA, to transport their goods to their destinations.
The Transit And Terminal Facility has a parking capacity for about 500 trucks. As at our visit, over 300 trucks were seen in the Terminal, waiting for a tracking device before heading for their destinations. The situation is preventing some other trucks, from coming in to do business, with the GPHA. The Sector Minister, Fiifi Fiavi Kwetey, said, Government has identified some of the challenges, and assured them, of quick flow of traffic, at the Terminal, to enhance trade facilitation.
He again pleaded with Drivers and Transport owners, not to be discouraged by the phenomenon, but continue to make Ghana their preferred destination, for maritime trade. On his part, The Minister Of Trade And Industry, Dr. Ekow Spio Garbrah said, Government is committed to ending the situation.
Although he declined to mention the name of the Company that has been contracted to provide the tracking device, he said, Ghana wants to be the centre for ECOWAS trade and investment hence in doing so, it is imperative to make the Transit Terminal efficient, to accommodate one hundred and fifty to two hundred trucks coming in and exiting the Terminal.
Meanwhile, a Clearing Agent, Hamza Abubakr Atanbandamya accused Policy makers of orchestrating, the needless congestion, at the Terminal. According to him, Government has intended to award the contract to its cronies hence the needless congestion.
Source/Ibrahim Obeng-Mensah /Tema
