Railways to Fold Up

Management of the Ghana Railways Company (GRC) has disclosed to the Accra File the company's intention to finally fold up, should government refuse to intervene in its operations.

According to the management, the company lacked the needed facilities and resources, to facilitate the smooth running of the company. They noted that negotiations made by the authorities, to acquire these facilities for their day to day operations, have come to nothing.

In an interview, the management complained that, for some years, the company has not been operating on its own capacity, as a transport sector institution, but rather it has had to rely on the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), and other agencies for support.

They stated that this problem has persisted for so long, without the government taking the necessary steps to address the situation.

They averred that the AMA, and the other agencies, have expressed their aversion to further provide them with the needed assistance. This, they said, has rendered the company dormant in its dealings, such as carrying out exercises, to chase out traders and dwellers, whose activities, on and along the sides of the railway tracks, are causing serious damage to the tracks.

The Area Manager of the company in Accra, Mr. Emmanuel Ativor, said the company was unable to carry out the decongestion exercise, on the railway tracks, especially the areas assigned for the exercise.

"This has been a contributing factor to the traders returning, to the railway tracks, to continue with their business activities," he said.

He explained that not only has the lack of the facilities, and resources, been a worry to them, but the inability, on the part of government, to pay them their due salaries, has somehow added salt to their injuries.

The workers, he said, proceeded on a strike action, as a way of sending their grievances across to the government.

After negotiations with the government, he said, the workers were asked to resume work, after which they would be given their monies.

The workers, in an interview, complained that they had still not been given their due salaries, and as such, were appealing to the government to fulfil its promises.

The area manager said that the company, served as a means of transport for the people, particularly traders, in carrying their numerous goods from one town to the other.

"Should the company collapse, these market women are going to suffer, and also create unemployment for some of the workers," he said.

To this effect, Mr. Ativor pleaded with the government, to consider the service the company was rendering to the nation, and find solutions to re-brand the sector.