Smuggled cement impounded at Tema Port

The cry of cement manufacturers over the importation of cheap cement products from China and some of the Asian countries has caught the attention of the government.

Apart from Dangote, who appears to be selling quality cement on the local market, the rest are cheap imports that are being dumped in the country.

Furtherance to this decision to fight cheap imports, The Chronicle can report on authority that the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) over the weekend blocked a Chinese vessel, MV GUO TOU 106 from discharging tons of bagged cement at the Tema Port.

The vessel was, however, permitted to discharge steel plates and equipment on board.

A National Security source at the Tema Port, who wants to remain anonymous, told The Chronicle that there were inconsistencies in the manifest of the vessel, which was presented during the berthing meetings at the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA).

According to the source, when MV GUO TOU 106 berthed at the Tema Port on November 7th, 2016, the crew told the port authorities that they only have on board steel products.

But during the berthing meeting held on November 14, 2016, the crew changed their position and told the Ghanaian officials that they were carrying cement and other equipment.

The inconsistency in the declaration raised an eyebrow among the national security operatives, especially with a few days to the national polls.

Further security enquiries revealed that the consignee is not even a licensed importer of cement.

The Director of Port, Tema, Jacob Adorkor, when contacted said that the GPHA depends on directives from Customs as to whether to discharge a cargo or not.

In a related development, the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Peter Kofi Faidoo has re-echoed the preparedness of the Ghana Navy to demolish any attempt by elements who would intend to carry their nefarious activities using the sea.

According to him, the Ghana Navy has re-enforced its patrols of the country’s territorial waters and will spare no unfriendly movement aimed at destabilizing the nation.

He told The Chronicle that the navy, together with the rest of the sister security agencies, were to crash anyone who try to ferment trouble in the country.

He appealed to sea-farers to co-operate anytime they are contacted by the navy so that “together, we can all secure this beautiful country of ours”.