The Western Regional Minister, Joseph Nelson, has assured workers of the Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) of an action plan from government to revive and reposition the company.
He said to management and staff of the company currently struggling to operate all its fleet and control its routes due to challenges, that the current administration of President John Dramani Mahama would fix the problems facing the company and the Railway sector generally.
“What you need now is action. And action is on its way”
Joseph Nelson was addressing management and staff of the Ghana Railway Company Limited when he gave the assurance at the company’s head office in Takoradi in Western Region.
The Minister, explained that the government would implement pragmatic policies and programmes out of the “Big Push” infrastructure development framework being introduced by government to reposition the rail sector transport and ultimately operations of the company.
He noted, that bringing back the country’s rail transport sector, would improve commercial activities in Sekondi Takoradi and Western Region generally hence the determination.
The Minister however indicated that the Railway sector as it stands now, would require enormous investment and that obviously would be tackled in the “big push” agenda of government.
He said the workers of Ghana Railway Company Limited have over the years listened to sweet words and lip service being paid to them by authorities instead of commitment made to the revival of the company.
Therefore, he said instead of spending time talking about the challenges facing the company, what remains crucial is the determination to reposition the company to immediately kick start operations.
Consequently, he assured the workers of President John Dramani Mahama’s desire to rebuild the country’s rail sector using the company as the bedrock.
Ghana Railway Company Limited, he underscored, had previously served the country’s transport sector well, and under no circumstance, should government of Ghana watch the company ground to a halt.
The Managing Director of Ghana Railway Company Limited, Ing. Dr.Michael Adjei Anyetei, who has worked for 11 years with the company in Takoradi said since the Minister is abreast with the issues, he would not bother himself preaching much to the already converted.
He nonetheless pointed out the issues currently confronting the operations of the country’s Railway sector. These issues he said remains very sensitive and dear to the hearts of the workers.
Established in 1896, the company, he revealed, operated very well and everything was fine until recent past when it lost all its commodities to road competitors
From Awaso to Takoradi, he said the Railway stopped working due to bad infrastructure along the operational zones.
The tracks owned by the company, he expressed concern, became so bad then that, they had to stop using them
“We couldn’t continue to be running at a lost.
“You will bear with me, that in the rail sector, anything you do, is capital intensive”
Aside that, for over 6 months, salaries of the workers he disclosed have not been paid by government.
This outstanding salary arrears, he said ought to have been paid long time to avoid putting financial pressure on the workers.
He pleaded with Minister Joseph Nelson to do everything humanly possible to make the payment of the salary arrears a thing of the past.
“If the Railway shines, is on you, if the railway fails, which I don’t wish, is on you” he told the Minister.
The MD and his team used the visit by the Minister as a conduit to request for the remaining outstanding salaries.
“I beg you, i beg you in the name of God, follow up for us” the MD appeals to the Minister passionately
In response, Western Regional Minister Joseph Nelson, said the company was once the heart beat of the country and for that matter Western Region, but poor handling of affairs rendered the sector helpless.
He recalled with nostalgia how he used to board the rail transport with his father when he was growing up in Ahanta West Municipality
But, subsequently, these challenges, enumerated, he said grounded operations of the company to a halt following years of non functioning of railway activities and performance
President Mahama, he assured would nonetheless tackle these challenges hampering the sector with renewed commitment aimed at revivimg the potential of the company to become economically viable.
Ing. Dr. Michael Adjei Anyetei had briefed the Minister on the current state of the company, and explained that the productive capacity of the company had been taken over by vehicular competitors.
In an attempt to revive activities, he disclosed that the company has prepared an agreement plan to work closely with Ghana Manganese Company in anticipation that revenue generation would improve systematically and the welfare of workers equally improved.
To this end, he said the new agreement with Ghana Manganese Company, must be backed by government to sustain Ghana Railway Company Limited to enhance rail operations in the country.
Ing. Dr. Michael Adjei Anyetei, noted, that he already had a meeting with Minister for Transport who gave assurance that payment of the salary arrears of the workers would be carried out in due course. The information from the Minister, he underscored, has been heartwarming.
He said the issue of non payment of workers salaries continue to hamper operations of the company
“We need to go through the process” he said while assuring the workers.
In response to an appeal made by the Managing Director of Ghana Railway Company Limited on behalf of the workers, Joseph Nelson said government is committed to developing the railway sector
“Railway will be brought back to its feet” he said with confidence
He assured the management and staff of his commitment to do follow ups on all the issues raised by the Managing Director.
“I am going to follow up on these issues.
I came here principally to learn at first hand some of these issues. Is good to have such a meeting.
“I am committed to help you improve everything that will improve your situation”
He assured the company of immediate steps he would personally take to get the issues mentioned resolved.
“All these challenges, would become a thing of the past, for all of us to see huge improvement.
You have been committed to doing what is expected of you. Continue to stay on course.we will look at these issues critically.
Our commitment is that transportation generally can see significant improvement”
In line with the visit to the office of the Ghana Railway Company Limited, Joseph Nelson said his mission primarily is to listen to the Railway workers, learn the issues at hand and find ways to help address these challenges facing the company.
For the solutions required, he said President John Mahama is committed to deliver the Railway sector with renewed interest and vigor.
He said he would personally push the agreement between the Ghana Railway Company Limited and the Ghana Manganese Company Limited so it will be beneficial to both parties.
