Kwaku Asiamah (middle), David Dorte (second from right) and other dignitaries from the Ministry of Transport at the press conference
The Ministry of Transport has met prospective investors who will help develop the Tema Shipyard and Drydock into a world-class facility at a pre-proposal conference.
The Transport Ministry said the move was in line with Section 40 of the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) Act to solicit private sector partner to upgrade and develop the shipyard.
Speaking at a press conference yesterday in Accra, Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, indicated that the pre-proposal conference was part of processes to allow shortlisted firms to seek clarification on issues regarding the bidding process and select a strategic investor for ship repair, fabrication and ship building.
He said government, as part of the industrialization programme, was pursuing the Integrated Bauxite and Aluminum project.
Mr. Asiamah said that the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Tema Shipyard and Dry-Dock would help in the effective execution of the integrated bauxite and Aluminum project, as well as oil and gas industry.
“Unfortunately, the facility has not seen any appreciable development and is saddled with obsolete equipment,” he added, noting that government expects the private partner that would be selected at the end of the process to bring in the needed technology and investment to improve facilities at the yard.
Transaction Advisor, David Ofosu Dorte, said that stage one of the selection processes, which involved the evaluation of the investor qualification statement, had been completed with six out of 20 initial prospective investors qualifying to the second stage.
He said the stage two, which involves the submission of detailed proposals by the six shortlisted firms, would end on 20th November after which the Government of Ghana (GoG) would set up an evaluation team, comprising its representatives and some technical advisors.
“In view of that, some recommendations would be sent to the Ministry and then to Cabinet. The process will end with a parliamentary approval,” he added.
By Abigail Owiredu-Boateng