Parliament has approved a €523-million credit facility agreement between the government and the German Development Bank, Deutsche Bank, to finance the construction of sections of the western railway line from Takoradi Port to Huni Valley in the Western Region.
The House also granted waiver of import duties, import value-added tax (VAT), levies and domestic levies amounting to €72.29 million on project materials and equipment to be imported for the execution of the standard gauge railway line.
The project will be executed by Amandi Investment Limited and will be completed within 42 months from the date of commencement.
The agreements and request were presented to the House on August 3, this year, by the Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, on behalf of the Minister of Finance.
The request and agreements were referred to the Committee on Finance for consideration and report.
Presenting the report, the Chairman of the committee, Dr Mark Assibey-Yeboah, said the scope of work comprised the construction of approximately eight kilometres of standard gauge railway tracks connecting the existing convertible narrow gauge tracks from Takoradi to the Takoradi Port for easy and efficient access for cargo handling.
With the conversion of the 10.6-km convertible narrow gauge tracks between Takoradi and Kojokrom from narrow gauge to standard gauge, he said, such conversion would include works and materials required as well as the supply of new standard gauge turnouts.
The chairman said it would include the construction of a by-pass section along the Kojokrom to the Manso section of the western railway line at Eshiem to enhance the speed of the final infrastructure.
Besides, Dr Assibey-Yeboah indicated that there would be construction of a new standard gauge railway line from Manso to Huni Valley of approximately 70km of single-track lines, including 10km of loop lines and double lines to the stations to improve the availability of the lines for express trains and also give priority to passengers over cargo.
“Additionally, there will be the construction of eight stations from Amantin to Huni Valley, including all construction works, station buildings, access roads, close circuit television (CCTV) and access control, back-up generator and water tanks.”
“Temporary works will be undertaken where and when needed to reduce the amount of stoppage to the currently running cargo operations. Such works will include temporary rail lines, temporary paths and any other diversion or by-pass of traffic or activity that prevents the works from progressing,” Dr Assibey-Yeboah said.
The chairman of the committee added that the project would witness the construction of approximately 4,000 cubic metres workshop facility for standard gauge rolling stock including fit-out machinery and equipment as well as the supply of standard gauge maintenance equipment, among others.
