Work on Osu fish landing site to commence soon – Deputy Transport Minister
The Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Hassan Tampuli, says works on the Osu fish landing site is to commence soon to give the artisanal fishing industry a major facelift.
Mr Tampuli said this when the ministry in collaboration with the Korley Klotey Municipal Assembly held a stakeholders sensitisation forum with community leaders and fisher folks of Osu in the Osu Alata Electoral area.
The forum was to sensitise the community on the commencement of the project and solicit their input to enhance speedy delivery.
The project being constructed by China Harbour and Engineering Company is among projects in beneficiary coastal towns which included Axim, Dixcove, Elmina, Moree, Mumford, Winneba, Senya Beraku, Gomoa Fetteh and Teshie.
It is expected to be completed in July 2022 and would house a modern fish market, net mending hall, fish-smoking pavilion, ice plant, washrooms and fuel and power stations.
Mr Tampuli said the artisanal fishing industry remained a major contributor to the economy as it provided livelihood for majority of Ghanaians, especially for families living in coastal communities.
However, he noted that poor fishing infrastructure continued to hamper the industry hence government’s commitment to modernise the industry to ensure safe launching and landing of artisanal fishing canoes.
“Government also sought to create and maintain hygienic environment and potential job opportunities within the fishing communities. It is against this background that the Ministry is undertaking the development of the Fish Landing sites along the coast,” he added.
The Member of Parliament for the area, Dr Zenator Rawlings, said the long awaited project would improve the fisheries industry in Osu and restore Osu to its proper glory.
She pleaded with the government on behalf of the fisher folks to ensure that the annual closed season included all persons fishing in the country’s waters to enable the initiative achieve its maximum results.
“if there is going to be a fishing ban, it must apply and affect everyone and not only the indigenous fisher folks since they do not deplete the fish source much unlike the commercial trawlers so that there is not a net loss for income and livelihood,” she added.
The Municipal Chief Executive, Nii Adjei Tawiah, said the project was another great stride in the history of the Assembly.
“Originally we were not part of those to benefit from this project but by the grace of God, officials at the Transport Ministry after a lot of soul searching realised KoKMA cannot be excluded from the project,” he stated.
Nii Tawiah assured that the Assembly would work with the Ministry to continue to engage the community to solicit their input and ensure a smooth process.
BY VIVIAN ARTHUR
