The Director-General for State Interest and Governance Authority (SIGA), Stephen Asamoah Boateng has admonished Electrochem Ghana Limited, current operators of the Ada Songor Salt Lagoon to create job opportunities and employ more people as well from their host community, and the country as a whole.
He encouraged Managers of the company to work hard and break into the huge Nigerian market which has huge potential for financial returns and generate employment for the youth of the area.
He noted that getting a hold on the Nigerian market would mean a departure from their huge salt import from Brazil, a situation which could change the fortunes of not only Electrochem Ghana Limited but Ghana as a whole.
“I’m challenging you to create employment for the youth of this area and the country at large.”
“You have to do well to penetrate the huge Nigerian market. Currently, Nigeria imports expensive Salt from Brazil and here we are very close to them and not doing business with them, let’s go grab the opportunity,” he encouraged.
Mr. Asamoah Boateng who was in the company of Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Samuel Abu Jinapor, visited the Salt Lagoon to assess the rate at which the project is ongoing.
The SIGA boss who is the leading contender for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) National Chairmanship position, again urged Electrochem Ghana Limited to also “add value and get into chemicals.”
Praising the entrepreneurial acumen of the Executive Chairman, Dr. Daniel Mckorley for investing in the popular Ada Salt Lagoon, he called for support from Chiefs, Clan heads and all the people of the area.
He also assured them of the unflinching support from his office, SIGA, which supervises all State-Owned Enterprises and Joint Ventures, to make the project successful.
On his part, General Manager of Electrochem Ghana Limited, David Cameron boasted about the quality nature of their Salt.
“The salt produced from the Ada Songor Lagoon has been tested and is of high quality, comparable to any on the international market,” he stated, expressing firm belief in breaking international barriers soon, and creating employment opportunities as well.
Electrochem Ghana Limited, a Ghanaian Salt Mining company, secured a 15-year lease to resuscitate salt mining in the Ada Songor Lagoon to enhance the local and national economy.
A total of 60,000 tonnes of salt was mined from the enclave in 2020 with plans by the company to mine 200,000 tonnes in 2021 on the back of Electrochem’s new investments.
The company is thus hopeful to increase its production capacity to 1 million tonnes in 2022 and subsequently to 2 million in 2023. This projection was made after a feasibility study had been conducted in the enclave.