Ministry of Harbour, Ports And Railways Intensifies Operations

IN ORDER to ensure delivery of efficient and reliable safe rail, maritime and inland water transport services, the Ministry of Harbours and Railways has intensified its focus on infrastructural development, provision of the necessary regulatory framework and standards for the operations and activities of various modes of transportation under the Ministry.

For this purpose, it has instigated some initiatives to develop the ports in becoming the major container hub ports in the West African sub-region.

Some of these initiatives disclosed by the Ministry included the dredging of the ports of Tema and Takoradi, the completion of the Quay Two extension works, electronic data interchange, waste reception facilities in both ports, acquisition of most powerful and modern tug boats for ports, construction of access road and flyover bridge within the Tema port, construction of a 200 tone capacity Fruit Terminal and design and rehabilitation of slipway and drydock facilities at the Takoradi port.

According to the Minister for Ports, Harbour and Railways, Prof. C. Ameyaw Akrumfi, the Ghana Ports and Harbour Authority (GPHA) is faced with a number of complex challenges of aftermath of privatization, transit trade, port congestion and delays in cargo clearance and corruption in the ports.

The Minister pointed out at a press meeting organized by the Ministry of Information that in spite of the very challenges facing the ministry, the railway system is poised for remarkable transformation.

Although a host of technical and engineering problems had compelled them review the date for the commencement of full passenger operations, the Minister assured that operations from Achimota to Asoprotchonaa would be resumed by the third quarter of this year.

He noted that intensive efforts aimed at attracting investors to the railway system have started yielding fruit and as such the ministry on behalf of the government had signed an agreement with M/S Peatrack Limited for the rehabilitation and extension of the Eastern Rail Line.

He added that an approval has been given to the ministry to also negotiate with M/S Kampac oil of the United Arab Emirates for the rehabilitation and extension of the Western Rail Line.

The Minister however disclosed Atlantic Companies Inc. group intends to construct, supervise and operate the suburban Railway System in the metropolitan areas of the country.

Prof. Akrumfi further stated that the Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) has place a number of measures aimed at reducing the rampant boat accidents on the Volta Lake following studies that it conducted on the causes of these accidents.

These measures he said included the creation and deployment of naval task forces in four boat landing and embarking stations specifically at Tapa Abotoase, Kete Krachi, Dambai and Yeji to check overloading, improper loading, drunken and unruly behaviour of boat operators and to prevent sailing in bad weather.

The draft and preparation of Lake Safety Regulations and Code for use by boat operators and users, educational programmes on boat safety, scheduled and unscheduled boat surveys and inspections by marine surveyors to stop the usage of old and weak boats were parts of measures to be embarked by the GMA as noted by the Minister.

Furthermore, the minister mentioned that the Authority would through effective flag and port state security programmes ensure compliance with the provisions of the Ghana Maritime Security Act (GMSA) and establish Automated Identification System (AIS) as well as other electronic surveillance system over the Ghanaian coastline to monitor shipping activities and also check acts of piracy and other illegal acts in the territorial waters.

"The global maritime industry is a dynamic and constantly changing one and in order for Ghana to take full advantage of maritime trade, a number of legislations have to be enacted to reflect the dynamism of the maritime industry," he said

In this connection, he reiterated that the GMA has initiated a number of legislations to give effect to the GMA act, 2002 (Act 630) and the Ghana shipping act, 2003 (Act 645), the Marine Pollution Bill, the Draft Regulations on Volta Lake and a comprehensive draft regulation for the implementation of the Ghana Shipping Act 2003 (Act 645).

In conclusion, the Minister appreciated the efforts being made by the Ministry of Information in bringing government officials closer to the media for interactions.

New Oduman District pleads for Government facilitation.

The people of new Oduman district in the Ablekuma sub metro are appealing to Government to assist them in the development of their area.

According to a resident, the roads are in a very deplorable state making drivers reluctant to ply and the few also charge exorbitant prices.

He again said that since there is no school in the area, their children have to walk miles to attend school at Ablekuma and when it rains its an eye saw.

Rtd Capt. Joel Kwame Sowu a resident and member of the New Oduman Landlord Association explained that the area was a deserted place and the members of the association came together and decided to start with some projects.

He said that, they started with a bridge, which was initiated by Mr. Anane former Minister of Roads and Transport who was very instrumental in its construction, and also streetlights which is almost complete.

He further said that the bridge is in progress and appeal to government to help them with funds to be able to complete the projects they have started and if possible build a school for them, which they will very much appreciate.

Mr. Michael Asare, a member of the association stated that some residents are retarding the progress of the construction, by building along the site and wish for government's intrusion.

Finally they are appealing to government for a police station in the district to check the increasing crime rates as well as help check landguards.

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