Rehabilitation work on the narrow gauge line from Kojokrom-Tarkwa
Rehabilitation of 56 kilometres, of
the existing narrow gauge line from Kojokrom to Tarkwa through Nsuta would
soon be completed to resume passenger rail services from Tarkwa to Takoradi
for the first time since 2007.
The Minister of Railway Development,
Joe Ghartey who disclosed this, indicated that rehabilitation works were being
undertaken by Ghana Railway Company Limited.
He indicated that, detailed design of
infrastructure including bridges and culverts had been completed between Takoradi and Manso, near Kojokrom.
Mr. Ghartey announced this at a
public lecture organized by the Sekondi – Takoradi Chamber of Commerce and
Industry, in collaboration with Hamburg Chamber of Commerce, on “Railways
revitalization and sustainable development: approach and
opportunities”.
He noted, “Geotechnical and
geological surveys between Takoradi – Tarkwa have
also been completed”.
Mr. Ghartey pointed out
that negotiations had been concluded with Messrs China Railway, Wuju Corporation for the continuation of the new standard
gauge line to Dunkwa.
He also indicated that allocation had
been made in the 2019 Budget to extend the rehabilitation works from
Nsawam to Koforidua on the Eastern rail line and that the total Project
Cost was estimated at GH¢134,632,915.00
The Minister however, mentioned that
encroachment on the eastern line by squatters and petty traders as well as land
acquisition and compensation were some of the challenges the sector needed to
surmount.
Joe Ghartey revealed that his
ministry had also finished rehabilitating the Railway Training School located
at Essikado in the Western Region.
He pointed out that the Akufo-Addo
government had worked tirelessly to transform the defunct Railway Training
School into a world-class technical training institute as part of efforts to
revamp the railway sector.
According to him, the training school
was revived in collaboration with the University of Mines and Technology
(UMaT) at Tarkwa.
He stressed that the hitherto active
training institute currently had enough facilities for the running of tertiary
courses to train technical personnel for industry, academia and
entrepreneurship.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi
