Committee recommends gov't takeover of PSC Tema shipyard

The Ministerial committee tasked to investigate the activities of the PSC Tema Shipyard has recommended a takeover by government.

The committee chairman, Mr Chris Ackumey told Joy News' Dzifa Bampoe on Friday that the government must move to “arrest the decay” at the Tema PSC Shipyard.

A group of Malaysians bought sixty per cent stake in the shipyard in 1997 but has since been criticized even by the workers for not running the shipyard effectively.

There has been running battles between the workers and the management over unpaid salaries with allegations of corruption and embezzlement against management.

On assuming office in 2009, the Mills administration instituted a committee to investigate the allegations, a task the committee carried out and submitted its report to the Transport Minister Mike Hammer.

Giving hints of what is in the report, Chris Ackumey said after a careful "research findings" and "review of documents" the committee concluded that government must repossess the sixty per cent stake.

As part of the recommendations, he said government must “buy out” the stake or negotiate with the Malaysians in a way that will make government take over the shipyard.

According to him the Malaysians, for the better part of 12 years, have done little to safeguard Ghana's strategic investment.

He implored the minister to surcharge officers against who adverse findings have been made.

Story by Nathan Gadugah/Myjoyonline.com/Ghana