Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Minister of Trade & Industry
Ekwow Spio-Garbrah, Minister of Trade & Industry (MOTI), has ordered SOL Cement, a Chinese importer, to discharge 5,000 metric tons out of 35,000 metric tons it smuggled into the country at the Tema Port since it does not have licence to transact such business.
According to the Minister, “The consignment was imported without a licence so they are to pay the penalty prescribed by the Legislative Instrument (L.I) in order to discharge that limited cargo.”
He said the decision was made to ensure that the ship carrying the cargo departs Ghana’s waters.
Explaining the issue to BUSINESS GUIDE, the Minister noted that “According to a letter sent to MOTI by GHAPOHA, the ship was blocking other ships from entering Ghana’s waters and leading to huge costs for all those behind it.
“So on emergency and humanitarian grounds, this limited quantity was to be cleared and the penalty paid. SOL has been once again warned about the potential criminal offence of importing any cement into Ghana without licence.
“Please note that there was as much as 35,000 tons on the ship, but only 5,000 tons was approved for discharge,” he emphasised.
The Chinese importer, in October this year, similarly imported a huge consignment of cement into the country without licence, prompting instantaneous reaction from local manufacturers who bitterly complained that such shipments into the country were undermining their operations.
It would be recalled that some local producers announced that they would soon lay off almost half of their workers due to the unbridled importation of cement.
A letter sighted by this paper from SOL Cement to the Minister dated 31st October, this year, signed by Nana Obokomatta IX, Managing Director and titled “Re: Importation of 20,200 Tons Of Bagged Cement Per Magic Seas Of 20th October, 2016 Per Bill Of Lading No. MRSPRT201” called on the authorities to allow the afore-mentioned vessel to berth and discharge its consignment at the Tema Port.
The importers initially lied that the vessel was not carrying bagged cement but they had to concede later after further investigations.
SOL Cement, in a letter to the Minister said: “Sir, this erroneous condition came about as the result of the late arrival of the vessel reaching Ghana. Sir, the vessel in question was loaded way back in early August and the freight paid way back in June, but the long tidings in the high seas culminated in the long delay, hence our inability to reach here on time.”
“Moreover, we wish to state clearly that the issue will never happen again since we are deeply sorry for any inconvenience caused.
“Hope our humble appeal will receive the needed attention since the duty amount of over GH¢2,400,000.00 has already been secured by the State, coupled with other port related charges that have all been paid,” it noted.
Recently, the Ministry of Trade & Industry, in collaboration with Cabinet, Parliament and the support of the local cement manufacturers, passed the Legislative Instrument (L.I.) 2240 to regulate exports and imports of Portland Cement.
Also, it instituted a Cement Monitoring Committee to check the importation of cement into the country.
Shockingly, a permit for 500,000 tonnes of bagged cement was thereafter authorized by the Minister of Trade & Industry without recourse to procedures enshrined in the LI.
By Samuel Boadi
samuel10gh@yahoo.com