Railway minister to meet Transnet SOC officials in SA

Railway Development Minister and Member of Parliament for Essikado-Ketan Constituency in the Western Region, Joe Ghartey, is set to meet officials of Transnet SOC Ltd a South African Railway Company contracted by government to help revitalize Ghana’s Rail system.

The Minister who is on a mission to South Africa, Zimbabwe and Angola as the President Akufo Addo’s special envoy will also use the opportunity to receive a report of Transnet recent working visit to Ghana.

Transnet SOC Ltd is a large South African Rail, Port and Pipeline company, headquartered in the Carlton Centre in Johannesburg.

Transnet while in Ghana carried out a survey on the Takoradi -Tarkwa line as well as the Tarkwa-Awaso line

Government is seeking to develop a new standard gauge Western line while considering rehabilitation of the old narrow gauge.

Currently, government has rehabilitated the Takoradi-Tarkwa narrow gauge line.

Amandi is also developing the new standard gauge to Huni Valley whilst Afcons the company constructing Tema to Mpakadan has also been awarded a contract to commence development of the new standard gauge Western line from Kumasi.

Amandi Company Limited is currently undertaking the construction of a standard gauge line from Takoradi to Tarkwa with plans to develop a new standard gauge line along the entire strech of the Western line to Awaso, Kumasi and to extend it further to Nyinahin.

Empire News’ Emmanuel Ohene-Gyan report that Transnet will be briefing the Minister on their findings.

The ministry is expected to brief Cabinet soon as well. The minister is being accompanied by a Technical Team drawn from the Ministry of Railways Development, Ghana Railways Company Limited and Ghana Railways Development Authority.

An initial due diligence on the rolling stock manufacturing plant of Transnet will be undertaken with a view of possibly acquiring some rolling stock.