…Of Survey, Feasibility Studies, Design Of Fish Landing Sites And Chinese Loan Facility


CABINET MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED BY THE MINISTER FOR FISHERIES:
SUBJECT:

REQUEST FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE FINAL REPORT ON THE SITING AND MASTER PLAN COVERING THE SURVEY, FEASIBILITY STUDIES AND DESIGN OF TWELVE SELECTED FISH LANDING SITES IN GHANA PREPARED BY MESSRS DHV OF HOLLAND

Cabinet is respectfully invited to accept the final Report covering the survey, feasibility studies and design of twelve (12) fish landing sites in selected fishing communities in Ghana prepared by Messrs DHV of Holland and

*ii approve an amount of US$99 million, a loan advanced by the China National Machinery and Equipment Company (CMEC) and the Chinese Fisheries Corporation supported by their Government to finance the construction of the twelve landing sites.

The costs of the survey and feasibility studies have been paid for with internally generated Funds and Budgetary Support Funds (FABS) provided by CIDA.

One of the challenges identified by the Ministry of Fisheries when it was established in January, 2005 was poor fisheries infrastructure which had over the years posed grave danger to the lives of fishermen and destroyed their canoes resulting in poor fish catch and loss of investment.

To meet the challenge of poor infrastructure, the Ministry of Fisheries has been able to make a breakthrough with the technical support of Messrs DHV of Holland, a company renowned for its expertise in Hydro-Surveying and designing of landing sites.

The Report therefore represents the Ministry’s policy response to the problem of poor fisheries infrastructure prevalent in Ghana’s fishing communities which has in the main militated against the growth and modernization of Ghana’s Fisheries Industry.

THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE TWELVE (12) FISH LANDING SITES HAS BEEN ESTIMATED TO COST US$121,325.000 (EXCLUDING VAT, AND TEXAS). THE DIFFERENCE IS US$22,325,000.00 OF WHICH THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT IS PREPARED TO PROVIDE AS A TOP-UP TO COVER THE COST OF CONSTRUCTING ALL THE TWELVE (12) FISH LANDING SITES IF THE MINISTRY REQUESTS THE CHINESE GOVERNMENT TO DO SO. ALL THE LANDING SITES WILL HAVE ANCILLARY FACILITIES SUCH AS COLD STORAGE AND BLAST FREEZING FACILITIES, CRECHES AND PREMIX-FUEL STATION, AN ADMINISTRATIVE BLOCK AND FISH MARKET.

It had been reported that since the beginning of the raining season which has coincided with the onset of the fishing season, torrential rains and storms have destroyed dozens of dug-out canoes and endangered the lives of fishermen. The Ministry is of the view that this situation should not continue and that it could be turned around.

The Draft Agreement and Funding Arrangements have been discussed with the Attorney General’s Office and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning who see no objection to the terms of the agreement and the financial arrangements.

In view of the urgent need to revamp and modernize the Fisheries Industry for it to fully exploit it’s potential, it is crucially important to promptly deal with the problem of poor fisheries infrastructure. When the landing sites are completed, they will surely transform the lives of the fishermen and their dependants, create employment and wealth and reduce the poverty which has afflicted the people in our fishing communities over the years.

Cabinet is in the light of the above stated reasons respectfully invited to approve as set out above.
HON. MRS. GLADYS ASMAH (MP)
MINISTER FOR FISHERIES
22ND AUGUST, 2007