Takoradi, March 15, GNA-Mr. Peter Azumah, Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) said the institution will demand that all operators in Ghana's oil sector operate on internationally acceptable standards. He said the sector was new in Ghana and to ensure that the country gained the most with fewer crises, it was important it that potential companies are scrutinised to make way for those who exhibit acceptable standards.

Mr. Azumah said these when he led board members of the GMA to inspect the shore logistics base of Tullow Oil in Takoradi and Sekondi over the weekend.

"We don't want to lower standards in this new field and even if we as a country does not have the requisite standard, the International Maritime Organisations (IMO) standards are available for all", he stressed. Mr. Azumah said the use of more local content and the training of many Ghanaian youths in the oil and gas industry should be a priority of the various companies in the sector. He said the GMA was working closely with the various institutions to prevent marine accidents and traffic.

Mr. Nicolas Hoting, Logistics Base Manager of Tullow Oil Ghana, said the shore base activities started on February 18, 2008 with three people but now has a total of 282 out of which 16 are foreigners. He said the first phase of work which was done at the Takoradi Airforce Station could last between 15 to 20 years and also has the capacity for the handling of aviation fuel, water, storage and industrial access roads which is separate from the roads of the Airforce. Mr. Hoting said career path training, mentorship programmes and in-service training has been developed to train the Ghanaian youth to be able to work in the sector.

He said international experts are occasionally invited to assist in programmes that were beyond the reach of Tullow. He however lamented that the absence of the railway was a major hindrance to many of their activities and would have preferred to use the rail in the transportation of its logistics from the Port to its bases. Captain George Asubonteng, Chairman of the GMA board commended Tullow for its standards and zeal towards Ghana's oil industry. He called for constant and reliable flow of information to Ghanaians to enable them know exactly what is happening in the sector.