Accra June 26, GNA - Parliament on Friday endorsed a credit agreement between Ghana and the BNP Paribas of the United Kingdom for the supply, installation and operation of Vessels Traffic Management Information System (VTMIS).

The 17,687,058.51 pounds loan, which is interest free, has 12 years repayment period and two and half years grace period. The Chairman of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Finance, Mr James Klutsey Avedzi said the project would be carried out by Zeni Maritime Technology of Finland and is expected to be completed in two years. Under the project eight remote sensor sites would be placed along the coastline of Accra, Tema and Takoradi.

The sites would be equipped with various sensors such as radar automatic identification system to detect ships and small boats. He explained that the remote sites would also carry communication equipment such as marine radio for voice communications on agreed frequencies.

Mr Avedzi said the sites would also contain meteorological sensors to provide local weather data.

He said the project would help complement the effort of the Ghana Navy in ensuring effective surveillance and monitoring of the maritime domain of the country.

He emphasized that the VTMIS would help in directing and co-ordinating search and rescue missions at sea. Mr Avedzi said it would also help in tracking down piracy, pair-trawling, narcotics transportation and other vices that take place on the sea.

Mr Albert Kan-Dapaah, Member of Parliament for Efigya Sekyere West, said the Ministries of Communication and Defence should be involved to provide technical advice to ensure effective implementation of the project.