WR Minister, Joseph Nelson
The government has assured that it will rebuild the country’s rail sector which is currently facing some challenges.
According to the government, the railway sector has served the country well, and under no circumstance will it watch the company ground to a halt.
The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, who disclosed this indicated that the railway sector as it stands now, would require enormous investment.
Addressing management and staff of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) in Takoradi, Mr. Nelson said obviously the challenges confronting the sector would be tackled in the “big push” agenda of the government.
“The government will implement pragmatic policies under the “Big Push” initiative to reposition the rail and the transport sector,” he said.
He assured workers of the GRCL of an action plan to revive and reposition the company.
He said bringing back the country’s rail transport system, would improve commercial activities in Sekondi Takoradi and Western Region as a whole.
The Managing Director of Ghana Railway Company Limited, Ing. Dr. Michael Adjei Anyetei, noted that the challenges confronting the sector remain very sensitive and dear to the hearts of the workers.
He mentioned that the tracks owned by the company, had become so bad that, they had to stop using them.
“We are currently running at a lost and we cannot continue on that path. You will agree with me, that operations in the rail sector are capital intensive. Aside that, for over six months, salaries of the workers have not been paid by the government,” he said.
“These outstanding salary arrears ought to have been paid long time to avoid putting financial pressure on the workers”, he pointed out.
He, therefore, pleaded with the minister to do all within his power to ensure that the salaries are paid.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Takoradi