President Akufo-Addo on Monday, December 23, 2024, commissioned portions of completed works of the Naval Forward Operating Base at Ezilimbo in the Jomoro District of the Western Region. Present at the colourful ceremony were Chiefs and their community members, Ministers of State including Defence Minister Dominic Nitiwul, and some Service Chiefs including the CDS, Lt. General Oppong-Peprah.
The President commissioned the residential accommodation for the officers and ratings, which has been completed. Other civil works are about 95% completed. What is left to be done is fixing water closets, extension of electricity and water to the facilities. The breakwater (mini- harbour) is still under construction.
The Enzilibo Forward Operating Naval Base is a multi-purpose project for protecting Ghana’s oil fields. It is a one hundred (100) million dollar project being undertaken by a Ghanaian company (Vuliss) and an Israeli Company (Amandi). A British Company was awarded a 100 million dollar contract to supply equipment.
Vuliss is handling 45% of the project, which includes Administration Block, Operations Centre, Hospital, Armoury House, Magazine, Warehouse, Church, Mosque, Gym Centre, Obstacle Training Ground, and football park. They also handle the construction of part of the breakwater and the internal roads.
Amandi handles the residential accommodation for 2500 troops, VIP lodge, Commanding Officer’s house, and 2 bedroom apartments with 6 rooms for each block for naval officers.
The second phase of the project is expected to be the construction of a sea defence project for the project affected communities.
There are visible environmental impacts on the flaura and fauna, houses, roads, and fishing landing beaches of the project-adjoining communities that need to be handled immediately.
By Owula Mangortey