Retooling of Komenda sugar factory is 98%-Trade Minister
The Trade and Industry Minister has hinted that the Komanda Sugar Factory was almost ready to run test production.
Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor 
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Komenda sugar factory will by the end of July 2022 undertake a production test run, the Trade Minister, Alan Kojo Kyeremanten has hinted.
The Minister who was answering questions on the floor of Parliament today, June 22, 202222 detailed various ongoing works demanded to know by Members of Parliament.
According to the Minister, the ongoing retooling and repair works which include the installation of a new pipeline to and from the plant to the molasses tank, refractories, and lagging work in boiler furnace and chimneys, all of whom he said were completed.
He added that the vacuum and water testing at the boiler house has also been completed. The equipment and machinery at the mill house, boiling house, boiler, and powerhouse sections have been overhauled, repaired and components replaced where necessary.
He said the raw sugar refining unit maintenance and spare parts have and refining, enhancing from 8-10 tons per hour to 16-20 tons per hour has been completed. He also said the electrical and instrumentation work with all the motors and the boiler section have been maintained and repaired. The construction of raw water reservoir of 2 million-liter capacity is also completed.
He further said sandblasting to remove rust and prevent further corrosion of equipment to maintain the integrity of all metal surfaces at the factory is completed. Construction of new chemical storage warehouse, new canteen, new washrooms for both genders ongoing. He said new baggage carrier platform construction work is completed, and the turbine for electricity production has been overhauled and is under production test.
The Minister disclosed that the civil works and the whole factory have been re-roofed to stop leakages and corrosion. Mr. Kyeremanten added that the warehouse for storing raw materials has currently been under construction.
The Minister stated that four acres of nursery land have been prepared for the cultivation of sugarcane to sugarcane development in the catchment area. The Minister indicated that there were further plans to expand the same to 500 acres after the commencement of cooperation.
The board of the company, according to the Minister is finalizing negotiations with traditional authorities to secure about 20,000 acres of land required for the plantation development in Sekyere Obuasi and Sekyere Heming in the Wassa East District.
Report by Prosper Kwaku Selassy Agbitor
