A ?28 BILLION salt factory is being constructed at Nsuekyir near Winneba in the Central Region.

The project, which started about six months ago, is on a 750-acre land and is the initiative of United 2 (U2) Company Limited, a private firm. It is expected to produce 60,000 metric tonnes of refined salt annually and employ about 1,000 workers.

This came to light when the Minister of Mines, Mr Kwadwo Adjei-Darko, paid a visit to the site to acquaint himself with work on the project.

Mr Ernest Ofori Sarpong, a co-director of the company, who took the minister round the project, said so far about ?9 billion has been spent.

He said the first phase of the project which is on a 500-acre land, involves the construction of the eight evaporation ponds, 10 crystallisation ponds, a reservoir and an office complex.

He said the first phase which is expected to be completed by the end of this year, will lead to the production of 40,000 metric tonnes of salt.

He said the second phase, which will cover the remaining 250-acres will include the construction of six evaporation ponds, five crystallisation ponds, a reservoir and a warehouse, adding that ?this will produce 20,000 metric tonnes of salt. The third phase is the construction of a refinery.

According to Mr Sarpong, the company is currently working with a workforce of 60.

He said feasibility studies indicate that production cost is about 30 to 40 per cent of revenue.

Mr Sarpong said the company?s target is to export the refined salt to countries such as Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, among others.

He gave the assurance that the company will live up to its social responsibility and assist the community in which it is operating.

Mr Adjei-Darko commended the management of the U2 for their initiative, adding that ?it is very encouraging, especially since it is a joint venture between two Ghanaians, Mr Sarpong and Osei Kwame Despite, Chief Executive of Peace FM?. He said government is very serious about salt production and will, therefore, do everything possible for the project to be successful.

Mr Adjei-Darko stressed the need to add value to mineral resources.

The District Chief Executive for the Awutu-Effutu-Senya District, Capt Steve K. Armah (rtd), appealed to all stakeholders to lend support to the successful completion of the project.

He was confident that the project will mark a turning point in the economic and development fortunes of the district.