The Trades Union Congress has expressed appreciation for the government's decision to assume total control of the Tema Shipyard and Drydock, with the re-acquisition of the 60% shareholding of Penang Shipbuilding Company (PSC) of Malaysia.

A statement issued by Mr. Kofi Asamoah, Secretary General of the TUC, said the workers needed to be commended for their vigilance and sacrifices, working under very deplorable working conditions over the years.

The statement said the potential of the Tema Shipyard and Drydock Company in the growth and development of Ghana as a maritime nation cannot be over emphasised.

It said the Drydock was a strategic asset with a huge potential for job creation, skills acquisition and skills transfer in this period of increased maritime traffic in an emerging oil and gas business environment.

The statement said it was the workers’ expectation that the government would speedily and adequately take all necessary steps, backed by efficient and effective management with capital injection, to transform the Shipyard and Drydock into a modern, well-equipped maritime facility.

It said the task of re-vamping the Shipyard and Drydock was immense.

“It is therefore our expectation that workers and management of the Company in particular as well as others on whose supporting services the Drydock depends will roll up their sleeves so that the Company can meet its strategic objective,” the statement said.**