Takoradi, Feb. 13, GNA - Haulage truck owners within the Shama Ahanta East Metropolis have commended the management of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) for decongesting the harbour and reducing turn-around time. Mr. Isaac Nketsia, a transport owner, told the GNA in an interview that COCOBOD had assigned specific days for which cocoa from all license buying cocoa companies (LBC) could be dispatched to the Takoradi Harbour and trucks are received into the harbour on a first-come-first-served basis.

Mr. Nketsia said this had minimised the waiting time that previously lasted about two months.

He said many transport owners, out of frustration and losses over the long delays, abandoned the haulage of cocoa and went into other businesses.

Mr. Nketsia suggested that to prevent another congestion at harbour, more warehouses should be built outside the harbour. He suggested that the transportation of cocoa beans from Assin Foso and Assin Adubiase in the Central Region to the Tema Harbour must change and that all such activities must be done through the Takoradi Harbour.

He said it was cheaper to use Takoradi Harbour from the Central region instead of Tema and advised LBCs in the area to forward their produce through Takoradi harbour.

Mr. Solomon Brenim, a cocoa transporter, thanked the management of COCOBOD for the new initiatives.

He said the long delays coupled with the slow turn around time had negative effects on their operations.

Mr. Brenim said the transport owners were compelled to pay their drivers and their mates extra amounts because of their continual stay at one location.

He appealed to all LBCs to ensure that they strictly follow the laid down procedure to maintain rapid and improved off-loading of cocoa.