GRDA to begin demolition along railway lines soon

January 21, 2011
Accra, Jan. 21, GNA - The Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) on Friday mandated the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to begin demolition of illegal structures along railway lines for work to begin on the development of the lines.

Mr Dan Markin, Board Chairman of GRDA who announced this in Accra said the October 10, 2009 deadline given to encroachers to evacuate had expired.

He explained that GRDA had waited up to date to begin the demolition exercise because of the magnanimity of President John Evans Atta Mills, who asked the authority to give the encroachers more time remove their structures.

"Two years is enough time for anyone serious about removing their structures to do so," he added.

Members of the Board and the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije toured some areas along the railway lines to demarcate areas that would be affected by the impending demolition.

The demolition would cover areas 100 feet on both sides of the existing rail lines.

The tour started at the Accra Central Train Station through CMB, Kantamanto, Kwame Nkrumah Circle and ended at Alajo.

All the areas along the railway lines were occupied by squatters who had built wooden structures.

There were also container shops and markets along the lines within 100 feet while others burnt rubbish close to the abandoned trains on the tracks.

Other people had turned the broken down trains at the Accra Central station into their homes.

The delegation found about 16 people sleeping in one of the abandoned trains during the inspection.

Mr Markin cautioned the squatters not to blame anyone if their belongings were destroyed during the demolition, and warned that no-one would be allowed to remain along the rail lines because it was dangerous.

He said after the development of the rail lines, new trains would be acquired which would run at about 160 kilometres per hour that would prevent people to cross the lines.

Mr Markin urged the public to co-operate with the authority and AMA during the exercise.

Mr Vanderpuije ordered policemen who accompanied the team to arrest those sleeping in the abandoned train to enable them explain their action to the police.

Speaking to journalists after the tour, he said the demolition exercise was a necessary step in the achievement of President Mills Better Ghana Agenda, adding: "It is time for Ghanaians to put the national interest above their individual interests to develop the country."

Mr Vanderpuije pledged that AMA would fulfil its mandate of undertaking the demolition effectively and on time.

"The AMA would deliver well and deliver on time," he added.

He announced that work on the project was expected to begin next month.

GNA