Defunct Railway School to be revamped -Minister

Takoradi, Jan. 25, - The Ministry of Railway Development in collaboration with the University of Mines and Technology (UMAT) is working to turn the defunct railway school into a world class technical Training Institute.

   

Mr Joe Ghartey, the sector Minister said the hitherto active training institute had enough facilities to kick start the running of tertiary courses to train technical men and women for industry, academia and entrepreneurs.

   

"Currently, we are working on a Memorandum of Understanding with UMAT to initiate the process of affiliation as a new technical university comparable to any technology based educational institution in the World,

  

“It is possible and we can do it just as Ghana Telecom did in some years back and now we have Ghana Technology University running all over the country,"

   

Mr Ghartey said this at the sidelines of a meeting with the National Executive Council of the Railway Union at Takoradi in the Western Region.

   

He said contractors had been procured to start rehabilitating some portions of the structures adding, "We will soon sign the contract with UMAT for technical supervision".

   

The Minister said the Railway was one key pillar of transforming the economy and encouraged the workers in particular to support the government in turning the situation around.

  

"I urge you to take pride in  the work you do and the leadership to ensure that the axe falls where it should fall as we take issues of safety and security very important ", the Minister added.

   

Mr Joe Ghartey said the government was committed to fixing issues with already existing lines , while negotiations  were to be carried out with some private investors as to whether a "Built Operate and Transfer system" could also be adopted.

   

The Minister, recollecting the contributions of railway workers during the independence struggle said, "the railway is Ghana and it shows the unity of the country, the future is bright and it shall be well".

   

Nana Kobina Nketsia V, Omanhene of Essikado traditional area lauded the initial steps taken by the government to restore the sector.

   

He alluded to the 35 percent increase in salaries of workers, incentive packages and the rate of work on-going in the sector as a good indication of a new commitment for making the rail sector work again.

GNA