Accra, Feb. 8, GNA - The Ministry of Harbours and Railways and the Ghana Railway Company Limited have intensified activities aimed at extending the suburban rail line from Accra Central to Tema Port by June. A statement signed by Ahmed Ayuba, Special Assistant to Minister said the activities formed part of the Phase II of the Accra-Tema railway line rehabilitation project to provide rail commuter service for the people.

It said currently, a team of Engineers of the Ghana Railway Company Limited had completed track formation works from Sakumono to the SSNIT flats near Tema, after which the team would complete track formation activity and start the laying of tracks. As part of the project, the statement said, Diesel Multiple Unit Trains would be imported to replace the current locomotive engines currently in use on the Accra-Asoprochona line.

It stated that a key component of the Accra-Tema railway project would include the construction of a major workshop at Tema to service and maintain trains and vehicles to be used on the line. The Ministry wished to debunk statements in certain quarters that the railway system had been neglected by Government. "Indeed, evidence indicates that after decades of neglect leading to the near collapse of the rail network, government has injected considerable funds from the HIPC Initiative, Budgetary Allocation and the Floating of Government of Ghana Bonds for revamping the system", it added.

According to him, the Ministry was working towards reversing the trend of low patronage of the Accra-Sakumono shuttle service, especially the afternoon service, adding that there would be the rehabilitation of additional coaches to be used for the shuttle service.