GRC rehabilitates old coaches

Ketan(W/R) Feb. 8 GNA- Mr. Mark Dzimah, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Ghana Railway Corporation (GRC), has announced that the GCE has rehabilitated 10 old coaches for use on the new Accra, Achimota and Tema rail line.

He said the coaches that were expected to become operational on March 6, 2007, were fitted with toilets, luggage facility, lights and fans and have seats for first-class and second-class occupancy. Mr. Mark Dzimah, Chief Mechanical Engineer of the Cooperation said these when Madam Sophia Horner-Sam, Deputy Minister of Ports Harbours and Railways visited the central workshops of the GRC at Ketan in the Western Region.

He explained that the GRC was allocated two million United States dollars for the rehabilitation of the 20 coaches and work on the remaining 10 would be complete before June this year. Mr Dzimah said the Cooperation had the capacity to rehabilitate all its old coaches but the lack of funds was hindering the efforts of GRC. Mr. Rufus Quaye, Managing Director of the GRC, said management of the Corporation had scaled down its workforce from 13,000 to 2,400. He explained that some of those who were due for retirement opted for early retirement, while a good condition of service was being worked out for those in active service.

Mr. Quaye said the GRC deteriorated because of the lack of maintenance culture but stressed that schedule maintenance would always be carried out to prolong the lifespan of the repaired coaches.

He gave the hint that the GRC had ordered for diesel multiple units to be used for short distances, adding that contracts to that effect have already been signed and delivery was expected within the next 18 months. Mr. Quaye said as part of the preparations of the GRC towards Ghana's Golden jubilee celebrations, management had decided to name some of the coaches after Pobee Biney, a train driver and nationalist and other railwaymen who contributed immensely to the nationalist struggle. He said the GRC had also released land at Sekondi to the Shama Ahanta East Metropolis for the construction of a modern water-closet toilet. Madam Horner-Sam, commended the staff of GRC for the speed at which rehabilitation works was going and urged them to sustain the spirit.