General News of Tuesday, 2 March 2010

Source: GNA

CJA calls for abrogation of PSC Tema Shipyard agreement

Accra, March 2, GNA - The Committee for Joint Action (CJA) on Tuesday called for the abrogation of the agreement under which 60 per cent of the PSC Tema Shipyard was divested to a Malaysian company. A statement signed by Mr Kwasi Adu, Convener of CJA, said this was because of the "blatant violations of the terms of the agreement". CJA said it was concerned that the government was yet to express its views on the recommendations of the Ministerial Committee that investigated alleged fraud and corruption at the company.

"While the nation waits for government action on the report of the special committee, the situation at the Shipyard is getting worse," it noted.

CJA allege d that recently, the management allowed third-party companies to use the facilities of the shipyard to undertake repairs to the detriment of the company.

"Currently, a ship called MV Dolphine is being repaired and re-fitted at the docks by a private company at an estimated cost of more than four million dollars, and it is clear that the government and people of Ghana will not benefit from the transaction." The CJA said it was also alarmed at reports of alleged intimidation of workers by some security agencies at the instigation of management. It urged government to come out without any further delay with its comments on the reports of the Special Ministerial Committee.