Expansion works on the Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbour at Sekondi in the Western Region which begun in 2016 with a Japanese grant of $20 million is progressing steadily.
The fishing harbour which is located in Sekondi- Takoradi District occupying about 20okm out of the 500km of total length of coast line is one of 2 major fishing harbours in the country next to the large Tema fishing harbour.
It is also the main fishing harbour used by many inshore vessels and canoes.
The project is being implemented by the Japanese Grant Aid Cooperation (JICA) in 1988 as phase-1.
JICA organized a tour to inspect the ongoing project, it saw representatives of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and representatives of the Japanese Embassy participating the process.
The second phase of the expansion project which is being carried out by the ECOH Corporation, a Japanese Consulting Engineers and is expected to be completed in December 2017.
Addressing the media after the tour, Director of Port at Takoradi, Capt. Eben Afadzi, stated that the purpose of the meeting was to provide first hand information on the expansion of the fishing harbour and to know the progress of the project.
A consultant of ECOH Corperation, Mr. Hitoshi Taekemoto, for his part, said funds by the Japanese government must be put into good use to serve as a manifestation of what the Japanese government is doing for this country.
“The Japanese government is concerned about the positives that will come out of the expansion on the completion of the project and the benefits that will be accrued to the country and for the region,” he said.
The project comprise the construction of additional lay-by wharf to improve the existing breakwater with a length of 180m and a crown width of 15.5m, access driveway with canoe berthing facilities with length of 324m and crown width (driveway: 5m, pedestrian walk: 2m), construction of ice making plant of floor area of 444.0m²and ice making machine to produce 15tonnes of ice per day, the construction of an additional administration office of expansion area of 384.3m² and passage area of 12.4m², pavement of the area behind fish handling shed with parking lot area 695.85m², in port road area of 1,410.62m², drainage ditch length 340.5m, demolish/ removal of existing seawater pump of 15.00m² in area, water supply facility with 120m³ reservoir and high tank of 12m³, fuel oil tank site of trenches for piping with 139.7m.
A representative of the JICA, Tomonari Takeuchi, said the expansion project will be beneficial to both fisher folks and people of this country.
He added that the main purpose for the construction of the ice making plant alone will help to increase the production and the preservation of more fishes.
“The production will be doubled by 15 tonnes per day making it a total of 30 tonnes. The expansion will accommodate more vessels.”
He further explained that JICA has conducted many projects but the main focus is on infrastructure with other fields such as medicine and agriculture. He is hoping GPHA will maintain the plant effectively and efficiently as they have done with the previous plant.
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