Accra – Nsawam train service to be restored by December

By
Benjamin Mensah, GNA

Accra, July 18, GNA – Rehabilitation works on
the Accra-Nsawam rail line is expected to be completed by next December and
passenger and light train service will be restored before Christmas, Mr Joe
Ghartey, the Minister for Railways Development has announced.

The rehabilitation became necessary following
derailment of an Accra bound Diesel Multiple Unit last October, after which the
Ministry decided to undertake major rehabilitation of sections of the Eastern
Line, including; the Accra-Nsawam railway line.

The contract for the rehabilitation, signed on
December 2017, for a term of seven months, was awarded to the Ghana Railways
Company, at a sum of GH¢15,034 million.

However, Mr Ghartey answering questions
related to the sector, in Parliament, Accra, said the term had to be extended
because of unforeseen circumstances, including an initial difficulty related to
the acquisition of treated wooden sleepers.

Mr Frank Annoh-Dompreh, MP for Nsawam
–Adoagyiri  had asked the Minister  the extent of progress chalked  with the Ministry’s bid to revamp the
Accra-Nsawam railway line.

The questioner also wanted to know from the
Minister what works had been done on the Eastern Railway line and the
challenges the Ministry was facing.

According to the Minister, who is also the MP
for Essikado in the Western Region, “the acceptable quality of treated sleepers
could not be obtained in Ghana.

“An offer from the United States of America
also proved unsuitable. Suitably treated wooden sleepers were identified in
China. An order has been placed and the sleepers will be delivered by August
2018.”

Another challenge, the Minister mentioned was
the deterioration of the formation, caused in some cases by human activity.

He said soil stabilisation and restoration of
the formation had led to the contaminated sub grade soil being removed and
replaced by boulders; and old bridges and culverts would also be replaced wand
drainage constructed. 

“The ballast will be replaced and all rotten
sleepers will be replaced. The formation will be resorted where it has been
destroyed. The existing stations will also be rehabilitated under this
rehabilitation programme,” Mr Ghartey said.

He gave the assurance that despite the
challenges, significant progress had been chalked, and “the most difficult
parts of the rehabilitation is being currently undertaken.”

On the challenges being encountered on works
of the Eastern Railway Line, which stretches from Accra-Tema to Kumasi, the
Minister said they included; encroachment, right of way, and continued human
activity that interfered and undermined the rehabilitation process.

Mr Ghartey spoke of negotiation processes with
bidders for the contract “intended that the agreement with the successful
bidder will be concluded in or before August this year and presented to Parliament
for approval.

“Soon thereafter, the construction of the new
standard gauge Eastern Rail Line will commence.”

GNA

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