Awawso (WR), April 14, GNA - Miners of the Ghana Bauxite Company (GBC) last Saturday expressed concern about Government's delay to rehabilitate the railway network, which serves as a major bulk haul of bauxite and other minerals from mining sites. The miners who are members of the Ghana Mines Workers Union (GMWU), therefore, called on Government to expedite action on the proposed rehabilitation of the railway system. The workers expressed these concerns when the leadership of the GMWU toured some mining areas in the region. They said the revamping of the railway network must be given the sense of urgency it deserves, or Government should look for a prospective investor to assist so that, the minerals could be hauled in volumes for export. The workers believed that, improved conditions of the rail lines would bring about better conditions of service and allay fears of retrenchment.

Currently, due to the poor nature of the railway system, the mining companies have resorted to road transport as alternative means of hauling mineral ores from mining areas to the harbours, ostensibly at a higher cost. The National Executive Council (NEC) of the union described the situation as seriously affecting not only the operations of the GBC but also the Ghana Manganese Company (GMC). The NEC also appealed to the Minister of Roads and Transport to rehabilitate the Prestea-Bogoso-Tarkwa roads and the Akyempim-Daman-Tarkwa roads to enable the people in those areas contribute more to growth in the economy. It again called on the Tarkwa Municipal Council to consider as a priority, the rehabilitation of Tarkwa township road network.