Railway Workers Welcome New Dawn Of Opportunities

Some inhabitants of Sekondi/Takoradi have expressed satisfaction with the mention of development works within the railway sector and the construction and reconstruction of some roads within the region.

Mr Ken Ofori Atta, Minister of Finance, on Thursday announced that the six kilometre rail lines from Sekondi to Tarkwa would be completed by 2019 as well as the opening up of roads in Esiama and some northern parts of the Region.

"It has become prudent that the railway sector was fixed and expanded to take care of the growing haulage needs of the Region in terms of agricultural produce to spare the limited road network from activities of heavy trucks which contribute greatly to the deterioration of the Region's Roads".

Opinions sampled around the central business district in Takoradi revealed that though residents were enthused with the capturing of the sectors in the budget, they prayed that it would not only be political talk but funds would be released for the projects in the Region.

Mr Godwill Ntarmah, the General Secretary of the Railway Workers Union together with Mr Joseph King-Edu, National Chairman, in a release to the Ghana News Agency, said salaries of railways workers must carefully be looked at in the transformation process.

They said welfare of staff of the Ghana Railway Company Limited must also be catered for quest to upgrade the sector adding "the current economic conditions did not allow railway workers to survive on their monthly pay".

The two, however, expressed happiness at the various interventions to retrieve railway properties from individuals as well as punish offenders and other major steps taken by the government to restore glory to that sector.

The Union leaders have on the other hand kicked against any collaboration with Magazine Co in Kumasi, saying GRCL workers were capable to bring all dilapidated coaches in shape when leadership provide the needed materials.

"We finally call on the workers of GRCL to continue to offer their best and rally behind the leadership to address the low level of salaries in the railway sector".