TDI PORT STILL VIBRANT (PAGE 29)

THE Director of Takoradi Port, Mr Nestor Percy Galley, has refuted claims that the port is dying, saying, “We are thriving and will be up to any task and challenges to be posed by the recent discovery of oil”.
He said the port had been progressing steadily over the years though not as fast as the Tema Port but its activities should not be described as slow.
The director, who was speaking at a durbar in Takoradi to give awards to its workers for the year 2006-2007, said: “We are perceived as an export port probably due to the fact that we handle about 70 per cent of the country’s exports, but the truth is that the Takoradi Port handles both imports and exports.
“I can assure you that, increasingly, the Sahelian countries of Niger , Mali and Burkina Faso have now recognised that the Takoradi Port is an alternative to their traditional ports of Abidjan, Lome, Benin and Dakar ,” he said.
Mr Galley said in the face of the challenges, the Takoradi Port still remained one of the strongest export and import destination points in the country and other countries up north have found favour with it.
The director reminded workers that the discovery of oil was another challenge to the management of the port, saying: “If we work hard, we would turn the fortunes of the port around. If we don’t, the opportunity will pass us by and we cannot afford to fail corporate Ghana and the expectations of the clients.”
He urged the workers to exhibit professionalism in their work by adopting new and progressive work attitudes towards their clients.
“Let me tell you that the discovery of oil has put the port and Takoradi township on the world map and any negative acts will go a long way to destroy our image internationally, ” he stressed.
He congratulated the award winners and reminded them that one’s selection as an award winner placed more responsibility on him/her.
“I, therefore, urge you not to relent in your efforts to ensure that the Takoradi Port goes beyond the expectation of the people and our employers,” he said.