Thursday, July 2, 2009

WESTERN RAILWAY LINE TO UNDERGO REHABILITATION (BACK PAGE, JUNE 27)

Rehabilitation work is to begin on the Western Railway line upon the release of $2 million by the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning.
The short-term, minimum intervention is to resume the haulage of bulk goods such as bauxite and manganese to generate enough revenue for the Ghana Railway Company (GRC).
The Minister of Transport, Mr Mike Hammah, announced the rehabilitation work when he met workers of the GRC in Takoradi. He was accompanied by his deputy, Mrs Dzifa Attivor.
He noted that the Western Railway line was the mainstay of the company and that its rehabilitation would help the company to generate revenue, since its internally generated revenue was virtually depleted.
The minister said the Accra-Tema railway system was also being rehabilitated to ease congestion in Accra.
He said in the medium to long term, the Central and the Eastern Railway lines would be rehabilitated to enable the Boankra Inland Port in the Ashanti Region to operate effectively and efficiently.
He noted that with political will and determination, the railway system could be extended to Hamile and Burkina Faso, adding that that vision should not be downplayed, since it could be realised.
Mr Hammah advised the management of the GRC to be transparent, open and accountable, adding, “When there is no transparency and accountability, it creates a recipe for discontent and agitation.”
He also charged the workers to be disciplined, hardworking and committed to their responsibilities.
The acting Managing Director of the GRC, Mr K.B. Amofah, said the railway system today was a pale shadow of its former self, since it was facing many challenges.
He said it needed government support to uplift the railway system to an appreciable level.

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