Sekondi, June 2, GNA - The Albert Bosomtwi-Sam Fishing Harbour (ABSFH) at Essikadu has been identified as ideal and strategically located and could serve as the Fish Port for West African.

The port apart from its competitive prices has a good security network and lies in rich fishing grounds in the sub-region.

Mr. Nestor P. Galley, Director of the Port disclosed these at a Press Conference organised by the management of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GHAPOHA) to coincide with the fifth anniversary celebrations of the Port.

He said the port currently has a daily 25kg ice making plant, large landing wharfs, a 200 metre breakwater, an 80 metre canoe jetty, 502 metres of access road and only 13 kilometres from the city centre. Mr. Galley said the harbour raised 141 million cedis in 1999 but is expected to realise between 1.6 and two billion cedis in revenues. Mr. Galley hinted that ice blocks, pedestrian entry toll, port dues, fresh water, places of convenience, vehicle toll, fines and others would account for the figure.

He said these notwithstanding, the lack of land for expansion, difficult attitude of fishermen, seasonal nature of fishing are major challenges facing the harbour.

Mr. Galley said the presence of some sunken vessels at the harbour coupled with the cheaper cost of operation in Cote D'Ivoire were some the problems of the Harbour.

He however said when the Inchaban-Sekondi road construction is completed; the harbour would become easily accessible, adding that, it could handle some of the congestion at the Tema Harbour.

The ABSFH was constructed through a Japanese Grant of 13.5 million Dollars for the provision of modern fish landing and handling support facilities and services for inshore boats and large canoes.

The harbour, which covers 1.4 hectares of land, is 15 kilometres from the main Takoradi Port and covers 12.6 hectares of water. 02 June 04