[ad_1]
Minister of Railroad Development, Mr. Joe Ghartey
The first railway line with electric locomotives and coaches linking Tema, Accra and Kumasi would be established and completed over the next three years.
The $ 2.2 billion railway line project will bring the Kumasi-Accra railway line to life, which has been idle for 18 years.
These were revealed at the beginning of the concession negotiations for the Eastern Standard Gauge line between investors from the Ghana-European Railway Consortium (GERC) consortium and Ghanaian government officials at Peduase in the eastern region. .
The government will hold a minority stake in the deal, which will see the construction of six main stations and 34 substations with a two-lane line.
Once the project is complete, 340 km of railways will be built, 24 pbadenger trains and six coaches will be installed, all powered by electricity.
Ghana News Titles
For the latest news in Ghana, visit the Graphic Online titles page
Ghana News Page
In addition, the rail system is expected to use more than 80,000 megawatts of electricity per year.
Boost for economic activities
Before starting the negotiations, Railway Development Minister Joe Ghartey said, "The railway we are trying to build is modern and I am convinced that the railway sector will transform our country."
He hoped that the project would be a shining example of cooperation between Ghana and Germany and would stimulate economic activities.
In particular, it is expected that economic activities in the Boankra Inner Harbor will receive a major boost when the railway line is completed.
Mr. Ghartey stated that the project would be constructed, operated and transferred (BOT).
He added that the outcome of the Peduase negotiations would be forwarded to Cabinet for approval, after which it would be submitted to Parliament for consideration and approval.
Professor George Yaw Gyan Baffour, Minister of Planning, said the government is planning to reorganize the railway sector in Ghana, as it is vital to the country's economic transformation and improved mobility.
Ready for action
Mr. Heinz Kroczek, a consortium member, said the GERC was ready to start work as soon as Parliament and Cabinet approved the agreement.
He described the railway line as a building project of a nation, as this would have a positive impact on many lives in terms of creating jobs and improving living conditions .
Kroczek said that about 5,000 jobs would be created at the construction stage, while an additional 3,000 people would be employed at the post-construction stages.
In addition, 540 Ghanaians are reported to be employed in a rail slipper factory which would be established to manufacture 1,000 slippers per day as part of the project.
Under this agreement, he said, some Ghanaians would go to Germany to be trained and equipped with the necessary skills to manage the railway lines.
Structure
According to the GERC, it is proposed to build a double railway with maintenance roads and fences on each side to protect the railway and prevent encroachment.
The Eastern Railway Project will include three main railway stations in Accra, Koforidua and Kumasi, as well as 30 minor railway stations.
It would have pbadenger and freight cars that would operate as intercity, interregional and local trains 19 hours a day, and would also include a single train from Kumasi to Accra that will stop at Koforidua after two and a half hours.
The entire project will be completed in three years, although a single track connecting Nsawam to Kumasi will be completed in two years.
According to the brief, investors expect to recover their investment in 27 years.
[ad_2]
Source link
