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 the 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,” he assured.
Joseph Nelson gave the assurance at the company’s head office in Takoradi in Western Region on March 20.
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.
Mr Joseph NelsonHe 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 for 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 the competition 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 that, they had to stop using them.
“We couldn’t continue to be running at a loss. 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 Mr Joseph Nelson to do everything humanly possible to ensure the payment of the salary arrears.
“If the Railway shines, is on you, if the railway fails, which I don’t wish, is on you” he told the Minister.
“I beg you, I beg you in the name of God, follow up for us,” the MD appealed to the Minister passionately
In response, Mr Joseph Nelson, said the company was once the heartbeat 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.
President Mahama, he assured would tackle these challenges hampering the sector with renewed commitment aimed at reviving 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.
Mr Nelson 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. It’s good to have such a meeting.
“I am committed to help you improve everything that will improve your situation,” he assured.
The post Western Regional Minister assures railway workers of solutions to their challenges first appeared on 3News.
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