The Freeport sited at Atuabo in the Ellembelle
district of the Western Region, will offer Ghana a strategic opportunity to become a
regional hub for support services in the West African sub-region.
establishment of the Atuabo Freeport, located in the heart of the new oil enclave, would
open up the area to the international market, and promote the socio-economic activities
of the people.
The NYPD has, therefore, condemned a group of people criticizing the location
of the Freeport that it would pose economic and security threat to the nation.
Addressing a press conference at Anochie, Mr Abizi Morkeh, President of the
NYPD, flanked by his executive members, noted that the establishment of the Freeport
would enhance their economic development and that of the entire nation.
He said while the farm lands of the people were destroyed to pave way for the
establishment of the Freeport, they were equally having challenges with their fishing
business which served as the main source of their livelihood.
They, therefore, expected that the project when completed, would create jobs
for the indigenes, giving the assurance that the area had qualified people to take up
various jobs demanded, while a lot of the people were also upgrading themselves to become
skilful to win employment in the industry.
On security, he indicated that such a huge and beneficial project would not
be established without putting security and other stringent measures in place saying that
the Navy Personnel and other security agencies would continue to be alert.
Mr Morkeh urged the five Members of Parliament (MP) who had taken legal
action against the establishment of the project, to rescind their decision of seeking an
appeal after the case had been dealt with to give the go ahead of the project.
Describing the action of the MPs as ?blockers of decentralization and
national development and anti-development agents?, he said their action was only stalling
the progress of the project, and called for a halt to that.
The NYPD questioned why the five MPs did not put up their protest when the Bill
on the project was laid before Parliament, but rather waited after it had been passed
before raising an objection.
The MPs are Mr Kwaku Kwarteng-Obuasi West, Mr Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah,
Takoradi, Mr Joseph Cudjoe, Mr Kofi Brako Tema Central and Madam Hawa Koomson, Ewutu
Senya East.
The Atuabo Freeport project has four distinct areas within the development to
create a one-stop shop for the oil and gas industry.
They include logistics base to support the supply chain to offshore platform,
provision of sub sea fabrication, oil rig and support vessel repair base and business
support infrastructure.
The government has 10 percent shares in the Atuabo Freeport Ghana Limited,
with Lonrho having 35 per cent, other institutional investors 20 percent, and Ghanaian
Equity Investor Group 35 percent.
Source : GNA/newsghana.com.gh
