C’tte recommends gov’t take over of Tema shipyard

By Citifmonline.com

The committee set up by Government to investigate the activities of PSC Tema Shipyard has recommended a complete takeover of the shipyard company by government.

The committee in its 51 page report indicted the Malaysian managers and some individuals for causing financial loss to the state.

Presenting the report to the Minister of Transport on Friday January 28, the Chairman of the Committee, Chris Akumey indicated that the committee is through with its findings and recommendations.

The Minister of Transport Mike Hamah on the 10th of October 2009 inaugurated the said committee to look into the activities of the shipyard company since its divestiture in 1997.

This followed various allegations and unrest within the Tema Shipyard Company leading to public outcry against the management of the company.
The PSC Tema Shipyard Company was originally a joint venture between the government of Ghana and Business Focus of Malaysia under a 40/60% ownership arrangement, respectively.

Now a subsidiary of Boustead Heavy Industries Corporation of Malaysia, the company was accused by its workers of running the place down since the 1997 divesture.

Various groupings such as the Maritime and Dockworkers Union, and the Committee for Joint Action (CJA) had called for investigations into the company. Under the authority of the Minister of Transport, a committee was constituted to investigate the dry-dock company.

Amongst the 18 point recommendation, the committee pointed out that without any further delay the Government of Ghana must in the interest of the nation buy out its Malaysian partners’ interest in the deal.

The Chairman of the Committee, Chris Akumey told Citi News that the Committee arrived at the conclusion after a critical examination of the company’s activities over the years.

He said the report revealed that the Malaysian partners had not brought any thing good to the country but have rather, through its activities and inefficiencies, caused financial loss to the country.

He however refused to name the people responsible for the loss since the sector Minister has not gone through the report yet.
Meanwhile, the Minister for Transport, Hon Mike Hammah has also told Citi News that government has already begun a process of taking over the company from the Malaysians.

He says a committee is already in place to negotiate the takeover. On the recommendations of the Chris Akumey led committee, he promised to study the report and act accordingly by the close of the first quarter of this year.

He added that the recommendations from the committee will give enough information to the committee that have been formed as a result of Parliaments approval to begin to negotiate the by bag interest in PSC Tema.

Mr. Hammah said the committee comprises a representative from the DIC, Ministry of Finance, Attorney Generals department and the Ministry of Transport.

The committee has met a few times and they were waiting for the report from the committee that investigated into issue.

The Minister however denied media reports that he tried to influence the investigation process.