Prez. Mahama commissions new rail lines

• Posted on November 28, 2016
• by Nana Kwesi Coomson
• Comment

PRESIDENT John Mahama has said the rail transport sector will see massive transformation if he is voted into power for another term.

According to him, government is already prioritising the sector by revamping some old rail lines and securing loans to build new ones.

Speaking at the inauguration of the newly-constructed railway lines from Sekondi to Takoradi Harbour, President Mahama also said work will soon start on the Tema-Akosombo railway lines.

The President said the 14.5-kilometre Sekondi-Kojokrom Railway line, which was fully funded by the government, will serve two trains.

“In 2010 government rebuilt and commissioned the rail line from Asopotsonaa to the Tema Harbour. In 2013, the line was further extended to the Community One in Tema to provide a continuous rail journey from the heart of Accra to the centre of Tema township.

“Today we are commissioning a similar effort by government,” he said.

The President noted that in line with the objective of revamping the sector, government in accordance with the development railway master plan has signed an agreement with India for the construction of the Tema Akosombo railway line.

According to him, cabinet has already approved the construction of the Tema-Akosombo railway for early in 2017.

 He said funding for the project, has already been secured.

He said the proposed line, 84.8 kilometers, valued at $398.33 million, is expected to link the ports of Tema to the lake ports of Akosombo.

“Government in accordance with the developed railway master plan has signed an agreement through the Ghana Railway Development Authority with messier afcon of India to use a via credit from India to construct the Tema- Akosombo rail line.”

“This will be a multi-modal rail line linking the port of Tema to the Lake Port of Akosombo after cabinet and parliamentary approvals were received.”

Mahama said an agreement for the commencement of the work on the project; is yet to be signed, however, he is optimistic that will be done in the first quarter of 2017.

He said the commissioning of the trains will help ease traffic congestion in the town; and promote easy transformation of goods in the area.

The president, who is on a campaign tour of the western region, addressed a rally at Dadieso, Saturday.

The President was happy with the efforts of his government in improving the quality of the roads in the area

He added there are more to be fixed and his government is in the process of doing exactly that in the coming years.

He said under his government, all the 10 regions have benefited from the distribution of the national cake while trumpeting the provision of the basic necessities of life including hospitals, schools, water, electricity and jobs.

The president said Ghana’s first President, Dr. Nkrumah, did these same things but was insulted by critics who suggested it was not necessary at the time yet those things are still serving the interest of the country.

He promised to upgrade the health facility and senior high school at Suaman district.

-The Finder