Tema, May 12, GNA - Mr Mike Hammah, Minister of Transport, on Tuesday stated that the Asaprochona Railway Project at Sakumono was in line with government's plans to improve the country's railway network. Making the remark during an inspection of on-going work on the 16.5 million-dollar project, Mr Hammah said when completed, it would go a long way ease congestion on roads in the area.

The Minister who was accompanied by his deputy, Mrs Dzifa Aku Attivor, disclosed that a modern railway network would soon be introduced in the country to facilitate trade.

Mr Hammah gave the assurance that existing lines would be rehabilitated, adding that the lines would be extended to places like Chokor, Kasoa and Dodowa.

Mr Enyo Matrevi, Resident Engineer at the project site, said work on the project would be completed by the end of July. Mr Matrevi indicated that two modern trains with a sitting capacity of more than 600 passengers had been acquired, to transport passengers from Tema to Accra on completion of the 17-kilometre stretch project from the Sakumono Village to the Tema Railway Station at the Tema Port. At the Tema Harbour, Mr Richard Amamoo, Director of the Port, told the Minister and his entourage that plans were underway to auction all over-aged vehicles at the Terminal.

At the Fishing Harbour, Mr Amamoo told the Minister about plans to undertake rehabilitation works.

Mr Hammah charged authorities of the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority to provide his ministry with a road map, time table, together with cost estimates, to facilitate the smooth take off of the rehabilitation. He advised the fisher folks to keep the beaches clean at all times in order to promote good sanitation. 12 May 10