VRA signs agreement to dredge Lower Volta River

Accra, July 20, GNA - The Volta River Authority (VRA) on Wednesday signed an agreement with SOTEG, a Business and Technology Solutions Company, to dredge the Lower Volta from Akuse to Ada. Mr Maxwell E.Y. Odum, Deputy Chief Executive, signed for the VRA while Mr Fiasal Fatal, Managing Director of SOTEG, signed for his company.

The dredging is aimed at increasing salinity by sea water intrusion into the river to reduce the incidence of bilharzias and to restore the ecosystem in the area.

Mr Kwaku Awotwi, Chief Executive of VRA, said though VRA had been dredging the River over the years, the agreement with SOTEG was the first public-private partnership to be initiated for the job. Mr Awotwi expressed the hope that it would form the basis for similar interventions by other companies in other areas to ensure the safe management of the Volta Lake.

He thanked the management of SOTEG for their support and said the project would be an on-going one to be solely funded by SOTEG. "It is also expected to have an impact on the level of technology transfer and create job opportunities for the inhabitants of the area," he said.

Mr Awotwi said revenue from sand winning from the dredging would be split between the VRA and SOTEG at 40:60 respectively. Mr Fatal expressed appreciation to both the government and VRA for the opportunity given to the company to make a mark in Africa. He said the contract was their first in Africa and they hoped to set a standard that would satisfy the requirements listed in the contract agreement.

Mr Fatal pledged the company's commitment towards ensuring environmental safety and job creation for the indigenous people. 20 July 11