Sekondi, Oct. 14, GNA - Contracts have been signed for a slipway and a test bench at the Sekondi Naval Dockyard, Rear Admiral Arthur Riby Sampa Nunoo, Chief of Naval Staff, said on Friday. Addressing this year's Administrative Inspection Parade of the Western Naval Command at Sekondi, he said that part payment for the projects would be made soon for the projects to take off. The Chief of Naval Staff stated that when completed and the necessary spare parts provided the Command should be in a shape to make the fleet more operational.

Rear Admiral Nunoo said a number of quarters for both junior and senior ratings at European Town and the Young Officers' Quarters at the Adiembra Wardroom in Sekondi had been completed. "The High Command is also negotiating with other organisations, both private and state controlled, to find ways of funding accommodation projects for the Armed Forces," he stated.

Rear Admiral Nunoo said the Navy was operating the vessel of the Volta River Authority, MV Volta and assisting tankers to discharge fuel for its Thermal Plant at Aboadze near Sekondi.

"Your vigilance to a large extent has prevented the mooring buoy and the pipelines from being vandalized or damaged," the Chief of Naval Staff stated and said the Navy was also supporting the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to patrol the anchorage in Takoradi for the effective implementation of the International Code for the Security of Ships and Port Facilities.

He expressed concern about the spate of indiscipline among the service personnel, both at home and on external operations and warned that the Navy had built an enviable image and anybody who dragged its good name into disrepute would not be spared.

Rear Admiral Nunoo later presented awards to Chief Petty Officer Class 0ne Bright Anyimi-Narh, Chief Petty Officer Class Two Apam Chimsah, Chief Petty Officer Class Two Eric Lawson and Able Seaman Class Two Mamatha Roberts for their selfless and dedicated service. The Chief of Naval Staff was also presented with a special award.