President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has served notice that the government will deal ruthlessly with persons who are found culpable of stealing components on railway lines in Ghana.
Speaking at sod cutting ceremony at Manso in the Amenfi Central District, the president said that one of the great tragedies of the post-colonial era was how Ghana allowed her railway infrastructure to deteriorate.
“Apart from the activities of illegal mining, which is having a negative impact on the development of the right of way, particularly within the corridors of Manso and Amantin in the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipality, leading to the modification of project designs and higher construction costs, some unpatriotic saboteurs in our communities have chosen to steal components of the railway system, including the tracks,” Akufo-Addo said.
“This is exceptionally worrying, and of great concern to the rest of us Ghanaians,” he said.
According to the president, out of the 947 kilometres of narrow-gauge rail network bequeathed Ghanaians by the colonialists, barely 10% is operational.
The Minister for railway development John Peter Amewu said the €500 million Manso-to-Huni Valley section of the Western Railway will be completed in 42 months, adding that it will bring enormous economic benefit to the country.
“The project when successfully completed will link the expanded Takoradi Port to a more efficient standard railway line for the effective transportation of cargo as well as passengers.
“Other economic benefits of the project which I think most of you are all aware already includes the reduction of pressure on our road networks thereby reducing the early deteriorations and hence increasing the life span of the roads, the local and district assembly have been helpful in this project,” he said.
Listen to John Peter Amewu in the audio below:
250 bolts and nuts fixed to new railway lines stolen
John Peter Amewu, the minister of railways development has said those found culpable of stealing metals on the Tema-Mpakadan railway will be prosecuted.
At least 300 passengers were left stranded on Wednesday (1 June) at the Kojokrom train station in the Western Region following the suspension of services as a result of cable theft on the coach.
Speaking to journalists after inspecting work on the Tema-Mpakadan railway project, Amewu said the theft is not as widespread in the Western Region.
“Some men have attempted to remove some of the bolts around the Tema harbour, you know and as our culture I don’t think it is fair, because the government is spending millions of dollars to construct these railway lines and it is for the benefit of all citizens of this country,” he said.
“This is the first time ever, in the history of this country, we have seen so much investment in the railway sector, and if people cannot take the project and accept it as their own property and therefore go behind and start pilfering, I don’t think it is going to help us as a country,” Amewu said.
“So, this is just an appeal to all Ghanaians, but the law will catch up with any citizen that makes an attempt, we realised some of the bolts and nuts had already been removed, this cannot be acceptable at all, let us be our own keepers and protectors of property that belongs to government,” Amewu added.
He appealed to the people in and around the railway lines to protect the lines.
“This is not as widespread as in the Western lines, 250 bolts and nuts have been removed.
“We have done a lot of stakeholder engagement, this is a new line, unfortunately they were not caught. So, let’s all be keepers of government property,” he said.
Meanwhile, the contractors working on the 100km Tema-Mpakadan rail project have given assurance that work will be completed in December this year.
Fred Dzakpata
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