Meridian Port Services (MPS) has announced the start of its corporate social initiative for the enhancement of Tema Roundabout, in collaboration with the Ministry of Roads and Highways (MRH).
The project will create a new road network near the future port, to alleviate traffic congestion and improve traffic flow.
The sod-cutting ceremony consequently took place yesterday at the Tema Roundabout to mark the start of the project.
The Tema Motorway roundabout currently suffers from serious traffic congestion, which impedes the movement of private and commercial vehicles within Tema and affects inter-city commuters who use the roundabout to and from the Greater Accra, the Eastern and the Volta regions. This congestion also hinders the flow of cargo in and out of the port.
The MPS-funded project is to create four slip roads to reduce the number of vehicles approaching the roundabout and additional third lane to widen the roundabout, all in an effort to decongest the area.
The project will also improve the entrance and exit from the northern side (Akosombo) by widening it from the current single lane to a double lane.
The initiative will also contribute to the convenience of the Trans West African Highway for travel to and from neighbouring countries.
“Ghana is now the hub for shipping activities in the sub-region. Certainly this project will facilitate the free flow of goods and services for the benefit of all. We congratulate MPS on this bold initiative,” the Minister of Roads and Highways, Alhaji Inusah Fuseini, said.
The Director General of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, Mr Richard Anamoo, added that “this is part of the vision that President John Dramani Mahama has for the development of all roads in Ghana. We are pleased to work with our partners in MPS on this project.”
Mr Anamoo said the port development plan would greatly benefit the economy and that the initiative was a good example of Corporate Social Responsibility, as it would create a wide range of impacts.
MPS has appointed Associated Consultants Ltd. as the project managers and Sinohydro Ghana Ltd. as the contractor for the Tema roundabout project.
These appointments were based on a proven track record of technical ability and both companies’ preparedness to start work immediately. The project is expected to be completed in nine months.
MPS, a company jointly owned by APM Terminals and Bolloré Transport & Logistics, in partnership with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority, is poised to start a major expansion of the Tema Port, designed to leverage Ghana’s strategic location in the heart of West Africa, making it a major trading hub to attract more investment.
The Chief Executive Officer of MPS, Mr Mohamed Samara, said: “This associated CSR project is probably the largest social investment of its kind undertaken by a private company and I am proud that this initiative has been so strongly endorsed by the MPS Board of Directors.”
Commenting on the local content for the Tema Port expansion project itself, the Chairman of the MPS Board, Dr Alhaji Asuma Banda, said 95 per cent of the materials for all works would be procured locally.
“With the exception of sophisticated container gantry cranes, a significant quantity of plant equipment will also be sourced locally.”
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