The Ghana Oil and Gas Services Providers (GOGSPA) has said the establishment of the Atuabo Free Port is a significant development that would promote the oil and gas business in the country.

The Atuabo free port would not only serve the oil industry but provide another avenue for inter-regional as well as international trade.

Mr Neurtey Adzeman, Chairman of GOGSPA, said the facility when completed could also maximize in-country spending, build local capacity, ensure knowledge, technology and skills transfer.

He said with the oil discovery, Ghana is expected to have about six Floating Storage, Production and Offloading Vessels in future, and that, the construction of the Port could help in offering meaningful development services to stakeholders in the sector.

Mr Adzeman, commenting on an injunction to stop the project said, it would only defeat the purpose of the local content and deprive many Ghanaians of their jobs.

He said the establishment of the port was only complementary to that of the Takoradi Port, adding that, “it would rather create more jobs rather that displace workers whiles ensuring a dedicated port to growing the oil and gas industry”.

Mr Adzeman said the facility did not pose any security risk to the country or the region, and that, the SOLAS convention of the International Maritime Organization and the International Port and Security Facility Codes have featured prominently in the design of the project.

He called on stakeholders and relevant bodies to support this laudable project to ensure a successful completion.