Parliament appeals to railway workers

Tema, March 13, GNA -- Mr Albert Obbing, Chairman of Parliamentary Select Committee on Roads and Transport, has appealed to striking workers of Ghana Railway Company Limited (GRCL) to resume work while their grievances were being addressed.

Mr Obbing who is also the Member of Parliament for Preastea/Huni Valley said though the workers had a genuine case of salary arrears their continued strike action would aggravate the financial problems of the company in view of the debts to be settled as this would erode the achievements made.

He made the appeal when members of the Committee visited Tema branch office of Ghana Shippers' Council on Tuesday to acquaint themselves with their operations.

The railway workers have been on strike for several weeks to press demands for increased salary and improved working conditions. After the tour, Mr Obbing commended the management and staff for their contribution towards economic growth and urged them to explore more avenues to expand trade ventures.

Mr Kofi Mbiah, Chief Executive Officer of GSC said in their efforts to facilitate trade in the northern sector of the country, the Council was considering establishing warehouses at Bui in Brong Ahafo Region to enable shippers expand trade transaction.

He said plans were also advanced to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Burkina Faso for the establishment of an office to promote carting of cargo with land locked countries. On the Boankra Inland Port project in Ashanti Region, Mr Mbiah expressed concern about the delay in its completion which had been attributed to financial constraints.

However, he pointed out that Hutchison Port Handling Company of United Kingdom was undertaking feasibility studies into the project at their own cost to assess their capabilities of investing in it. Mr Mbiah said as part of its social responsibilities, GSC had constructed two schools for some towns within their operational area and would provide them with other facilities soon.