Minister for Trade and Industry, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen has stated that major repair works on the Komenda sugar factory is 98 percent complete.
Responding to questions about the state of the factory on the Floor of Parliament on June 28, 2022, he said although the repairs are almost complete, the factory is expected to be ready to undertake a production test run by the end of July 2022.
He said most of the works have either been completed or are in their final stages of completion.
These, he said include the installation of a new pipeline to and from the plant to the molastic tank being 100 percent complete.
Lagging works in boiler ferneries and chimneys are 100 percent complete, he said adding that civil works, the factory building, and warehouse have been reroofed.
“Four acres of nursery land have been prepared for the cultivation of sugarcane to support sugarcane development in the catchment area. There are further plans to expand to 500 acres after the commencement of operations,” he hinted.
According to the minister, the board of the company is finalizing negotiations with traditional authorities to secure about 20,000 acres of land required for the plantation development in the Sekyere Obuasi and the Sekyere Heman area in the Wassa East District.
On issues regarding investors for the Komenda Sugar Factory, he explained that there have been some drawbacks.
“Negotiations have not been completed with the transaction advisor and the strategic investor.”
He was however quick to add that the government is making every effort to ensure the renovation is completed.
He said he has asked the board and management to attract the services of a technical contractor to undertake work of revamping the operation.
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Source: Flora Tang
