China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has recently signed an agreement with the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) for work to begin on the first phase of the USD150 million Takoradi Port Infrastructure Development Project.

CHEC, the international marine engineering and infrastructure construction firm, continues to win the award of major contracts around the world adding to the more than USD10 billion value of its projects in more than 70 countries.

The Takoradi Port project includes the demolition and reconstruction of port office buildings, the expansion and reconstruction of access roads, land reclamation and the development of water and electricity facilities. The project will be executed within three years.

CHEC is currently in negotiations with the Cayman Islands Government for the construction of the George Town cruise ship port as a public-private partnership investment with 100% funding by CHEC. The George Town port when completed would be operated by the Cayman Islands Port Authority.

Commenting on the recent agreement signing in Ghana, Mr Zhongdong Tang, CHEC Regional Director for the Caribbean and Latin America said the project would not only see the provision of essential facilities at the Takoradi Port but also create local employment and help boost the Ghanaian economy.

“China Harbour is delighted to have partnered with the Government of Ghana on its Port project and we are pleased with the confidence they have placed in us,” Mr Tang said. “We hope we can bring similar economic and employment benefits to the Cayman Islands in the near future.”

CHEC and its parent company, China Communications Construction Company (CCCC), also continue to win contract awards in China, where CCCC recently signed a USD148 million contract for dredging, reclamation and soft foundation treatment works at the Guangzhou Port in Nansha port zone on Longxue Island, China.

FOOTNOTE: Although CHEC is currently in negotiations with the Cayman Islands Government for the construction of the George Town cruise ship port, the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) will not support the port project.  Henry Bellingham, the previous Minister for the Overseas Territories said the premier had to get the process back in line with what he described as best procurement practice.

Nevertheless, Mr. Bush said on 28^th June CHEC will be the company that partners with government to do the project. The development will go ahead with the Chinese partner, he said, “and no one will stop it.”

The premier said, “I am determined to get value for money for the Cayman Islands with this project and not follow some UN ideal [regarding procurement]. He described Chinese money as the cheapest and CHEC was the best partner for the job.

“I am not going to back down,” he said. “They will not stop it.”

He talked about a November start date but we have not heard anything further.

He disclosed that DECCO, McAlpine and Hurlstone would be joining CHEC on the upland part of the project and there would be no “soup kitchens”.

“Jobs will go to Caymanians,” he said, “and CHEC are obligated to purchase materials on island where possible — all of which would ensure that the money stayed here. This is the type of investment that impacts our people the way they need it most, with jobs for those out of work, and business for companies that are struggling.”

“We will not shirk from full examination of what we are doing, by the Central Tenders Committee, the auditor general, and any other duly empowered regulatory authority,” he added.