Government has secured funding from the Indian Exim Bank to construct a railway line from the Tema Port to Akosombo.
The project, which is aimed at reducing road transport of freight from the Tema Harbor will connect the northern parts of the country through the Volta Lake transport service after completion.
Speaking at a press conference, the Minister of Transport, Mr. Fifi Kwetey stated that the Indian Exim Bank facility will soon be placed before parliament after cabinet approval.
According to him, the project will be a major improvement in Ghana’s transport sector, connecting the Volta Lake transport directly to the Tema Harbour.
“The construction of the Tema-Akosombo railway line is a very important project for the country. It will take freight straight from the Tema Horbor through Akosombo to go by the Volta Lake all the way to the Northern parts of the country,” he said.
Mr. Kwetey stated that the project is also targeted at linking landlocked some countries in West Africa such as Burkina Faso and Mali to the Tema Port.
He maintained that the project will ease the pressure on the country’s roads, expanding its lifespan.
Touching on the Sekondi-Takoradi sub-urban railway line, Mr. Kwetey announced that the project is 80 percent complete.
“The project seeks to improve commuter services between the twin cities and reduce congestion on the road,” he said adding that “ it will also provide a link from the Takoradi Port to a container depot at Sekondi”.
He stated that, already, the track work from Sekondi to Kojokrom has been completed with the line from Kojokrom to Takoradi on-going.
“The construction of the new Sekondi station building is almost completed awaiting fittings whiles others at Butua, Takoradi and Kojokrom stations are at various stages of completion,” he strssed.
He disclosed that the Ministry is seeking other sources of funding to reconstruct the remaining Western Rail Line.
He stated that the ministry has therefore requested the Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority to collaborate with the GRDA for the execution of the project.
On the reconstruction of the Eastern Railway line to link the Bonkara Inland Port, Mr. Kwetey stated that feasibility has been completed and would soon go out for bidding.
He explained that the projects are all interconnected to free Ghana’s ports from congestion while enhancing revenue mobilization.
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By: Lawrence Segbefia/citibusinessnews.com/Ghana