Alhaji Abukari Sumani, Board Chairman of Ghana Ports and Habours Authority (GPHA), has stated that the discovery of oil and gas in the Western Region poses a serious challenge to the Takoradi Port in meeting the demands of the oil and gas companies to boost the financial standing of the country.

He said under GPHA's transformation project, the port would be re-designed and dredged to contain heavy duty ships that berthed there and added that plans for the project were ready.

Alhaji Sumani, who is also the Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale North, stated these when he commissioned some new equipment the GPHA had acquired for the Takoradi port to facilitate operations and also meet the requirements of the oil and gas companies.

The equipment, worth GH¢11,473,582 comprised three Reachstackers, mobile cranes, Mafi tractors and head tractors as well as one forklift, which were all imported from Europe.

He charged the management and staff of the port to ensure the maximum use of the machines to enhance productivity as well as regular maintenance of the equipment to last long.

He stressed that government was determined to expand the port westwards to make it more vibrant and efficient.

The Board Chairman commended Pasico Ghana Limited for delivering the machines on time and pledged the continuous collaboration of GPHA to improve services to its customers.

The Director-General of the GPHA, Nestor Galley underscored the need for the staff to work hard to achieve the desired results to meet the requirements of the emerging oil and gas industry.

He said GPHA was expecting eight more machines which were on the high seas to boost its operations.

Mr. Galley noted that the Takoradi port was ready to support the activities of the oil and gas industry and other landlocked countries.

From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi