Tema, May 29, GNA - Two new 2009 model trains consigned to the Ministry of Transport have arrived at the port of Tema on board MV Kamp Ship.
The two sets of trains assembled in China by Tangshan Railway Vehicles Company and painted in Ghana colours are expected to ply on the Accra-Tema rail lines as part of measures to ease traffic on the Tema beach road. The two sets of train whose cost was not immediately known has four trailer cars (coaches) and two motor cars (engines) with a 104 sitting capacity each.
Investigations carried out at the port by the Ghana News Agency indicated that the trains, which are currently parked at the Civil Engineering Workshop of the port were yet to be handed over to the sector ministry. The GNA gathered that to maintain the trains, 23 Ghana railway employees were sent to China for a month's training in servicing the trains.
Port authorities confirmed the arrival of the trains at the port but referred the GNA to the Ghana Railways Company for further information on its intended operations.
Meanwhile construction works on the Tema-Asoprochonaa rail line has come to a standstill for over six months.
The construction which started after the commissioning of the Asoprochonaa railway station by the former government in 2007 to facilitate easy movement of goods and passengers from Tema to Accra was abandoned half way.
The contractors deserted the project after building two control posts at the Sakumono junction and a spot near Tema community three in addition to laying of some rail tracks leaving heaps of gravels on the site.
While some traders, especially fish mongers are using the site to transact their businesses, thieves are also stealing the rail sleepers abandoned by the contractors.
