The Ministry of Railways Development is set to start the construction of the Trans-ECOWAS railway line from Aflao to Elubo.
The expansion, which is in line with the objective of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to link all Member States by rail will boost socio-economic activities of towns along the corridors of the line when completed.
The project will result in direct rail connectivity with the neighbouring states, Togo and La Cote d’Ivoire to boost trade and facilitate economic growth and development in the West African countries affected by the project.
It will also facilitate the achievement of the broad objective of the Union of African Railways to link member countries by rail.
The proposed Trans-ECOWAS railway line, a standard gauge line, will commence at Aflao in the East, at the border with Togo and will head towards the West, along the coast of the Gulf of Guinea, connecting towns such as Aflao, Keta, Sogakope, Ada, Tema, Accra, Winneba, Mankessim, Anomabo, Cape Coast, Takoradi, Axim, among others, and terminate at Elubo, at the border with La Cote d’Ivoire, having a total length of approximately 530 kilometres.
The Ministry as part of its strategy of developing a nationwide modern railway network seeks an effective collaborative partnership with private sector investors.
Background
On 3rd September 2019, the Ministry of Railways Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding with a private Investor, Coastal Railway Network Limited. It was signed by the Sector Minister, Hon. Joe Ghartey and Mr. Stanley R.K Ahorlu, Director of Coastal Railway Network Limited.
Under the MOU, Coastal Railway Network Limited was ready to offer its professional skills and financial capacity to undertake the construction of the 530-kilometre rail project on a Build, Operate and Transfer (BOT) basis.
Meanwhile, the Ministry on 19th December 2018, engaged the services of a consultant, Messrs M.R. Technofin Consultants Limited to undertake feasibility studies for the development of the Trans-ECOWAS railway project.
The feasibility study involved economic, financial, social and environmental assessment of the proposed line, mapping-out the right-of-way and the development of a business case to attract investments towards the development the line.
According to the Ministry, the studies are expected to be completed by the end of 2019.
Accra to Cape Coast section
The Ministry has also started negotiation with an EPC F contractor to construct a section of the Accra to Cape Coast section of the line.
They have hinted that the project may commence in 2020 if all negotiations and approvals turn out successful.
The post Gov’t to begin construction of Trans-ECOWAS railway line appeared first on Citinewsroom - Comprehensive News in Ghana, Current Affairs, Business News , Headlines, Ghana Sports, Entertainment, Politics, Articles, Opinions, Viral Content.
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