News:
December 22, 2017
The Minister for Railways Development, Joe Ghartey has assured of his outfits commitment to harness the necessary resource to revamp Ghana’s collapsed railway sector.
Mr Joe Ghartey who is also Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan urged all stakeholders to support efforts aimed at revamping the sector for the betterment of the nation.
A total of 258,000 passengers and 599,000 tonnes of goods were trafficked via rail in 2017 according to report by the Transport Committee of Parliament on the Budget estimates for the Ministry.
Parliament has approved a total amount of GHC 544, 297, 260 for the implementation of policies and programmes of the Ministry of Railways Development for the 2018 financial year.
According to the report, in 2017, a total length of 20 kilometres of rail lines were maintained whiles 20 % of the railway lines rehabilitation was completed.
Government has also paid a total of GHC 195, 026, 085 which been in arrears for the Sekondi- Takoradi via Kojokrom sub-urban railway lines.
The Ministry apart from the payment of several arrears and commitments has also witnessed a budget overrun of Ghc 241,260, 643 due to the release of 20% mobilization to finance the Tema to Akosombo rail-line project.
The Ministry under the leadership of the sector Minister, Joe Ghartey is currently embarking on massive investment drive into the sector which is very key for the rapid transformation of the Ghanaian economy.
Various re-vamping and re-structuring exercises currently on-going includes the Western and Eastern railway lines.
Feasibility studies for the development of the Kumasi to Paga lines has also been done all geared at opening up economic opportunities for all citizens.
By Christian Kpesese ghanamps.com