The President of Ghana Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Monday cut the sod for the construction of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in the Jomoro Municipality of the Western Region.
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The Base, when completed, would provide maximum security for oil and gas infrastructure as the country works to curtail piracy, theft and other sea crimes.
The 150 military human capacity Base would have among others a Jetty, Breakwater and accommodation.
The Contactors of the project are expected to complete the Base within 33 months.
President Akufo-Addo stated that security for the oil and gas infrastructure was critical considering the huge investment in the sector.
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He said incidence of piracy, armed robbery, kidnapping for ransom and theft on National and Regional waters made it more imperative to beef up security on Ghana’s waters with such a modern facility.
The FOB therefore comes in handy for the Ghana Navy to respond swiftly to threats to the oil and gas fields in record time for effective maritime operations.
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The new Base would be 30 minutes’ drive away from the oil fields, which is currently six hours from the Sekondi Naval Base.
The President indicated that the oil and gas industry was gradually becoming a force to reckon with, considering the new discoveries and explorations in the sector and therefore could sit aloof on transatlantic crime with its associated economic cost.
He indicated that, similar FOB would also be built in Keta, Winneba and Elmina in due course, adding that there was also an agreement for the supply of six boats and other equipment to enhance operational efficiency.
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President Akufo Addo lauded the contributions of the Chiefs and People of the area for the support given to the project from the initiation stage and prayed the support would be given during the execution phase, “This project holds lots of prospect for the economic growth of this area”.
He called on the contractors to keep to the project time frame and specifications to ensure that a world class Base was offered to the people of Ghana at the end of the execution of the contract.
Hon. Kobby Okyere Darko-Mensah, the Western Region Minister said the region would continue to be the chicken that laid the golden eggs for the prosperity of all.
He called on the contractors to advance local content in its real sense in order to enjoy maximum cooperation from the locals during the execution phase.
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He said, “This is a great day in the life of Western Region with such an asset to protect both individuals and businesses”.
Me. Dominic Ntiwul, the Defense Minister praised the Akufo Addo led government for the massive investment in the Ghana Armed Forces to enhance operational efficiency.
He said the coming on board of the FOB would advance security and create a deterrent environment against crime.
Mr. Ntiwul continued that resource allocation under the President was marvelous adding, re-tooling the GAF over the last three years has improved performance”.
Awulae Annor Adjaye III, Paramount Chief of Western Nzema was grateful for the project and pleaded with the government to ensure judicious spending of oil revenues to improve upon the lives of Ghanaians.
The Paramount Chief asked the President to improve road networks in the municipality to facilitate the economic well-being of the people.
