The Ministry of Railways Development has denied the alleged theft of railway lines and steel sleepers captured in a viral video.
According to the Ministry, they sanctioned the harvesting and transportation of the rail tracks and the steel sleepers.
A statement issued on Tuesday, May 2, declared that “the vehicle seen in the viral video transporting some of the rail tracks harvested by Messrs Xingrui International Development Limited, was authorized by the Ministry and not stolen item.”
The statement explained that the world is moving away from narrow gauge to standard gauge rail development and as a result Ghana is replacing its narrow gauges with the standard ones as per the AU and ECOWAS directives.
“As a result, Ghana has started the construction of standard gauge railway lines from Tema to Mpakadan on the extended Eastern Corridor and from Takoradi Port to Huni Valley on the Western Line as per the railway Master Plan. Thus the Ministry is in the process of decommissioning the narrow gauge lines.”
It adds that “in this regard, in order not for Government not to lose these asserts through stealing, the Ministry has decided to harvest them for safe keeping and to subsequently and if found necessary dispose them of to generate some revenue to Government…”
The Chief Director of the Ministry, Desmond Boateng, who signed the statement added that the Ghana Police Service has been duly notified that aside Messrs Xingrui International Development Limited, any entity or persons caught harvesting and transporting rail lines or steel sleepers should be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law.
Mr. Boateng bemoaned the incessant encroachment, theft and vandalism of railway facilities while taskinglaw enforcement to deal with culprits caught.
The Ministry finally expressed appreciation to the general public for its concern and vigilance.
