President John Dramani Mahama has directed the Ministry of Transport to facilitate the extension of the railway line from Tema Port to the Dawa Industrial Enclave in the Greater Accra Region.
The President said the project should be executed and operationalised ahead of the completion of the Mpakadan Inland Port on the Volta Lake to ease the movement of cargo from Tema Port to the Dawa Industrial Enclave.
He noted that the new route would also improve transportation for workers commuting from the Ashaiman area to the industrial zone.
President Mahama gave the directive during a meeting with Organised Labour, led by the Secretary-General of the TUC, Mr. Joshua Ansah, to address outstanding salary arrears of railway sector workers.
He indicated that the Minister for Finance will be briefed on the matter to make the necessary budgetary allocations for payment of the arrears.
The President further disclosed that, based on recommendations from the Minister for Transport, more than 100 railway workers will be transferred from the Western Region to Tema to manage the Tema–Mpakadan Line, while those due for retirement will receive appropriate compensation.
On dismantling old railway tracks, President Mahama directed the Transport Minister to ensure that the exercise is undertaken by railway workers themselves and that the recovered metals are sent directly to factories for recycling.
The TUC Secretary-General expressed appreciation to the President for his swift and proactive response to concerns raised by organised labour.
Also present at the meeting were Presidential Adviser and Special Aide to the President, Mrs. Joyce Bawah Mogtari; Minister for Transport, Mr. Joseph Bukari Nikpe; Minister for Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr. Abdul-Rashid Hassan Pelpuo; and Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority, Dr. Frederick Appoh.
Source: Myxyzonline.com/Wisdome Hedezome
