info@businessghana.com
A massive $2.5 billion project by Sentuo Building Materials Complex, an initiative under the government's Big Push programme, has stalled due to a dispute with squatters on the site.
The company has faced significant setbacks in its bid to develop the proposed site it acquired seven years ago, which is located at Ashaiman along the Tema-Accra Motorway.
The complex is for the manufacture of a tall list of building materials as well as training fabricators and companies in the built environment.
The Sentuo Building Materials Complex aims to leverage China's industrial and technical expertise in building materials to create a cutting-edge industrial model designed to create over 25,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Already, the company’s parent, Sentuo Group, has invested massively in the country, with projects, including the Sentuo Steel, Sentuo Ceramics and Sentuo Petroleum Refinery, all located in Tema in the Greater Accra Region.
The latest project, proposed to occupy 390,000 square metres, approximately two kilometres, features five key platforms: a trading platform, grade evaluation platform, logistics platform, a manufacturer storage platform, and management and after-sales platform.
Additionally, it will have a central hub where manufacturers, merchants and consumers can interact.
There will also be recreational and play areas.
The Technical and Group Corporate Affairs Director of Sentuo Building Materials Complex, Benjamin Gomado-Cobblah, told the Daily Graphic that the company had made several attempts to evict the squatters through the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) and the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, but without success.
"We have made several attempts to evict them through the TDC and the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly since we acquired the land seven years ago, but without success," Mr Gomado-Cobblah said.
"In fact, the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly had offered them a land near the Zoomlion's treatment plant after the TDC had initially offered them a stretch of land near the Tema Motorway," he added.
Mr Gomado-Cobblah explained that the project was not only expected to cater for the country’s industrial needs, but also be a major export hub to other West African countries.
This giant manufacturing hub will attract many manufacturing companies to the country, providing a much-needed boost to the country's development agenda.
"Because of this project, many manufacturing companies are going to come to Ghana," Mr Gomado-Cobblah said.
"Indeed, it is going to be a catalyst to attract many manufacturing companies to Ghana, which is what is needed at this point in time in Ghana's development agenda," he added.
The squatters, mostly scrap dealers, have rejected all offers, delaying the project's take-off. With over 25,000 potential direct and indirect jobs hanging in the balance, the project's progress remains uncertain.
Its promoters believe the project will be a game-changer for the economy. Its strategic location near Tema Port makes it an ideal hub for the distribution of building materials in Africa.
As part of the initiative, Sentuo plans to build Special Economic Zones (SEZs) across Ghana, providing a conducive business environment for investors.
The SEZs will offer state-of-the-art infrastructure and leverage the state’s tax incentives and streamlined regulatory processes to attract both local and foreign investors.
The Sentuo Building Materials Complex will feature a range of facilities, including a building materials mall, brand shops, warehousing and logistics centres, headquarters buildings and residential facilities.
Upon completion, the complex will provide comprehensive after-sales services and whole-process supervision from manufacturer to user.
Beyond its industrial ambitions, Mr Gomado-Cobblah said the project promised to significantly contribute to national development initiatives.
“It will support the National Apprenticeship Scheme and the 24-hour Economy by establishing a state-of-the-art technical university.
“This institution will offer long and short-term Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), as well as Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) skills tailored to the needs of the 21st century,” he added.
