$9.484m to construct two ferries

Published in the Daily Graphic on 17/04/2010, back pg

Story: Matilda Attram
THE Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) has signed a $9.484 million contract with Arab Contractors for the construction of two new double-ended ferries and the rehabilitation of the floating dock at Akosombo.
When completed, the ferries are to connect Adawso on the southern shore to Ekye Amanfrom on the northern shore of the Volta Lake to enhance commercial activities in the Afram Plains.
The project, which is part of the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA) compact programme for Ghana, is expected to be completed in 20 months.
It will also enhance the Volta Lake Transport Company’s construction, repair and maintenance capabilities for ferries to save farmers much time and offer safe and reliable access of transportation to other users.
The Chief Executive Officer of MiDA, Mr Martin Esson-Benjamin, and the Engineer of Arab Contractors, Mr Usama Ibrahim Abdallah, signed the contract for their respective entities in Accra yesterday.
Mr Esson-Benjamin said the completion of the project would enlarge landing sites to increase ferry and vehicle handling capacities.
He said a contract for the extraction of tree stumps from the crossing route between Adawso and Ekye Amanfrom, to eliminate navigational and safety hazards, had already been negotiated with the VRA.
He further said the contract awarded to Arab Contractors also demonstrated the mutual relationship between Ghana and Egypt.
Mr Esson-Benjamin called on Ghanaians to support the MiDA and contractors working on various projects to complete them successfully.
Mr Usama Ibrahim Abdallah, who received documents to the contract, gave the assurance that the company “will use about 50 per cent of the facilities in Ghana to do its work. We will employ 50 to 80 people from the marine sector to help do the work”.
Mr Abdallah expressed gratitude to the management of MiDA and assured Ghanaians of the commitment of the company to complete the work on schedule.
The Director of Policy and Planning of the Ministry of Transport, Mr Siisi Essuman-Ocran, expressed the hope that the project would enhance effective operations on the Volta Lake to solve the transportation problems of the people in that area.