Accra, June 25, -A Member of Parliament today urged the government to intervene to save Gliksten, a timber company, from collapsing and help pay the salaries of its employees. Mr Nyame I.K. Ofori, NDC-Sefwi Wiawso, in a statement said since the company was listed for divestiture, its ”fortunes have been on the decline”. He said a fire-outbreak in 1994 brought production levels lower. New machinery brought in have not been installed and the morale of the workers has nose-dived due to five months arrears in salaries that are yet to be paid. Mr Ofori said if the company is allowed to install the machinery, it will boost production for it to generate operational funds and raise its divestiture value. This could help the company to pay off debts to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust, the Electricity Company of Ghana and some oil companies. Mr Kojo Baah-Wiredu, NPP-Asante Akim North, said the rich from Sefwi Wiawso should be encouraged to take up shares in the company to motivate outsiders to invest in it. Mr Collins Dauda (Asutifi south) said most timber companies face production problems when put on the divestiture list, adding that the Divestiture Implementation Committee (DIC) should speed up the sale of Gliksten. Mr Joe Donkor (NPP-Tano north) while agreeing that DIC should speed up the divestiture of the company, said proceeds from the sale of the equipment of non-viable companies could bring the government an income. The member said the workers could then be employed to plant trees to rejuvenate the forests exploited by the company. he urged DIC to ensure that all companies listed for divestiture insure against fire.
