Government signs pre-feasibility studies on light rail transport

with Czech Republic

Accra, Dec 21, GNA- Government on Wednesday signed a pre-feasibility studies contract with Inekon Group, a Czech Republic Company to undertake a comprehensive study on possible areas of constructing light rail transport system (tramps).

The studies that would be completed within three months would be followed by a comprehensive feasibility studies, and the subsequent awarding of contract for the projects in various cities in Ghana.

Alhaji Collins Dauda, Minister of Roads and Transport signed on behalf of the government of Ghana, while Mr Josef Husek, Director General and Chairman of the Board of Directors initialed on behalf of the Czech Company.

Vice President John Dramani Mahama, who was part of the ceremony, visited Eastern Europe on a five-day official visit, during which he invited investors to attend a trade and investment forum in Ghana.

He said almost 100 per cent of the transport system in the country is by road hence the expediency to explore other avenues and alternative means of transport to ease traffic congestion in the country’s urban centres.

He appealed to the Ministry of Roads and Transport to work closely with the Czech Company to ensure that all deadlines are met within the stipulated three-months.

Alhaji Dauda said apart from the tramp system, government is also working on the bus fast lane system which would relieve commuters of the usual hustle for means of transport in the major cities.

He said government would spend 210,000 Euros on the pre-feasibility studies, while another 750,000 Euros would also be spent on the comprehensive studies.

Mr Husek said his outfit is already supplying many states in the US and Austria with its products and would therefore be happy to become the fore-runners in Ghana’s light rail transport facility.