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Lonrho Ghana Ports Limited has acquired 514 hectares of land at Atuabo in the Ellembelle District for the construction and operation of an oil and gas port terminal.
The project, known as the Ghana Oil and Gas Freeport Service Terminal Complex, is expected to be in full operation in 2016.
It involves the construction of temporary workshops, work areas and material staging areas which are to be located within the project footprint, a harbour protected by a rock breakwater to the west and a rock groyne to the east, a dredged approach channel, a turning circle, berth pockets and quays.
Other components will be service facilities to be located in the port along the quays to provide support services to the off-shore oil and gas industry, including rig repair, waste treatment and management, fabrication and supply facilities.
The project will also deliver an airstrip and a helipad to facilitate aircraft and helicopter transportation, as well as other infrastructure like power generation, boreholes, accommodation, offices, a naval base, hydrocarbon fuels storage area and roads.
Impact on economy
The project is expected to have significant impact on the economy of the Western Region while at the national level, it has the potential to attract more foreign investment into the country.
It is expected that during the period of construction, there will be a significant amount of materials purchased from within Ghana, apart from the project enhancing business experience, skills training and job opportunities.
Environmental impact assessment
At an environmental impact assessing hearing at Atuabo, Lonrho outlined its Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), detailing how the company plans to mitigate any environmental impact that the project would unleash on the communities.
Presenting the ESIA to the communities at a public hearing organised by the EPA at Atuabo last Monday, the Development Manager of Lonrho, Mr Steve Gray, explained that the project would impact positively on the lives of people in the area.
He said Lonrho would respect the concerns of the people in the communities located near the project site as the execution of the project progressed.
However, the people stressed the need for Lonrho to demonstrate its commitment to organising skills training for community members to enable them to take advantage of job opportunities under the project.
They also called for the development of infrastructure in the three communities to enhance their standard of living.
The Omanhene of Eastern Nzema Traditional Area, Awulae Amihere Kpanyili III, who chaired the function, thanked all those who helped to ensure the success of the public hearing.
Source: Daily Graphic
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