Transport Minister, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah has assured investors of transparent and fair bidding processes devoid of political interference and influence.

The Minister was speaking in reference to the ongoing bidding process for the redevelopment and upgrade of the Tema Shipyard and Dry-dock.

Hon. Ofori Asiamah made these assertions at a pre-proposal conference organised by the Ministry of Transport to serve as a platform where consultants and technical men will meet and iron out details of the processes moving forward with bidders.

He stressed that the role of the politicians in the process is limited as the core functions and essential duties will be carried out by consultants and technical individuals entrusted with the selection process.

The Minister added that not until the consultants present a report for consideration by the Ministry, Government and for that matter, political figures will have no business interfering with the process to ensure no investor bangs its hopes on them.

"Let me once again reiterate that today's conference is not for the politician to answer questions. After this conference, no politician is speaking. It is for you and the transaction advisor because I don't want the situation where we leave here and you say the politician said this. We are leaving the work for the technical people to do and when a time comes and we are taking a decision we are clear in our minds that we are taking a decision based on a sound analysis but not based on any political consideration" he reiterated.



Redevelopment and upgrade of Shipyard key to Ghana's development

Delivering his Keynote address at the event, Transport Minister emphasised the relevance of upgrading and redeveloping the place insisting it was necessary to meet the industrialisation agenda of the government.

The Tema Shipyard and Dry-dock have not seen any major upgrade since its establishment in the 1960s by Ghana's first President Dr Kwame Nkrumah according to the Minister.

The only attempt at improving the area failed to materialise as the Malaysian investors brought into the country to manage the facility fell short of expectations prompting the government to take over majority shares in 2014 Kweku Ofori Asiamah recounted.

The Transport Minister was optimistic that the upgrade and other redevelopment works when completed, will facilitate Ghana's industrialisation drive and put Ghana in a position to increase its trade volumes.

"Government under the leadership of H.E The President as part of the industrialisation programme is pursuing the Integrated Bauxite and Aluminium Project. Government, therefore, considers the Shipyard as a strategic national asset and seeks to rehabilitate and upgrade it into a modern well-equipped Shipyard to ensure that it contributes significantly to the Integrated Bauxite Industry as well as the oil and gas Industry" the Transport Minister told the gathering.



"Its the expectation of Government that the Private Partner that would be selected at the end of this solicitation process would partner Government to bring about the needed technology and investment that would eventually lead to the scale-up facilities in the Yard. With the oil and gas activities in Ghana, the Shipyard is well positioned to take advantage of opportunities and help to promote local content and improve Ghana's competitiveness in West Africa's offshore oil and gas industry" he stated.

6 companies shortlisted from an initial 20

A member of the technical advisory team, David Ofosu-Dorte who provided updates on the process thus far indicated that an initial 20 companies expressed interest in the project but only 6 companies made it to the second stage.

The companies are Dormac Marine and Engineering, Ladoh Freezone Enterprise, Secant Technologies, Submarine Holding Limited, Strategic Security Systems, LifeForms Limited.

David Ofosu-Dorte continued that shortlisted investors have until November 2 to submit all necessary documentation and proposal for the contract.

He hinted that a joint Government of Ghana, Technical team committee will be formed to evaluate the report of the consultants.