Accra, Dec. 2, GNA - The Ministry of Transport on Thursday asked all= persons occupying railway lines in the Accra Metropolis to vacate with immediate effect in their own interest.

The move will affect those who are close to 50 feet of land on both sides of rail lines from Accra through Odaw (Circle) Achimota to Dome and=

from Achimota through Batchona, Asoprochona to Tema as well as Accra to Nsawam. A statement issued in Accra by Kweku Sersah-Johnson, of the Public Affairs Directorate of the Ministry said activities of people occupying these lands posed a great danger to the operations of Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) as well as lives and property. "Persons occupying land 50 feet on both sides of the rail line are t= o note that an ejection exercise would be embarked upon to rid the rail lin= e of all such unauthorised structures and occupants. "It is to be noted that the deadline for the demolition exercise giv= en by the authorities was October 15, 2009," it said. The statement reminded the public that it constituted a criminal offence for anyone to steal, tamper with or illegally remove any asset or=

part of property belonging to the GRDA and the Ghana Railway Company Limited. "In all circumstances, offenders and perpetrators shall be apprehend= ed and prosecuted," it added.