Govt signs €500m Western rail line deal

Government has signed a historic €500 million contract for the construction of sections of the Western Railway Line.

The contract signed on Wednesday, June 3, 2020, is for the construction of a standard gauge rail line between Takoradi Harbour and Huni Valley, according to Railways Development Minister, Joe Ghartey.

The deal is considered the largest single rail contract in the post-independence history of Ghana.

The contract was signed between Government represented by the Ghana Railways Development Authority and the Amandi Holdings Limited.

Mr Ghartey speaking at the signing ceremony in Accra, says the project consists of the construction of sections of the Western Railway line.

He says it will form a total of 102 kilometers of continuous single track railway line, with sections along the tracks, an initial workshop facility at a location to be specified by the employer, and an initial complement of rolling stock.

He stated that the indicative scope of the works includes the construction, provision, testing and commissioning of the construction of approximately 8km of standard gauge railway tracks connecting the existing dual gauge tracks in Takoradi to the Takoradi port for easy and efficient access for cargo.

There will also be the conversion of 10.6km the dual gauge tracks between Takoradi to Kojokrom from narrow gauge to standard gauge, adding that “this shall include conversion works and materials involved and supply of 10 new gauge turnouts.”

He says the project is to commence hopefully in October 2020 to be completed in 42 months, adding that it will lead to the construction of the railway line from Manso to Huni Valley approximately 60km of single track lines, and in addition the construction of 8 basic stations along the existing line from Amantin to Huni Valley including all construction works, station building, access roads, CCTV and access control, backup generator and water tanks.

It shall also include 10km of loop lines and stations’ double lines to improve availability of the line for express trains, Mr. Ghartey says.

He mentioned that several other activities would be undertaken under the project including the supply of standard gauge track maintenance equipment, construction of workshop facility for standard gauge rolling stock including the basic fit-out, basic tools and essential machines.

He stated that a provisional amount has been earmarked for the employer’s and engineer’s costs and supervision facilities, including acquisition of land and payment for affected people, payable by the employer.

He recounted that from 2012 to 2017, a narrow gauge line was constructed from Sekondi to Takoradi.

The total length of the line, he said, is approximately 15 kilometers. The stretch from Kojokrom to Takoradi is approximately 10 kilometers.

“Therefore, even though it commenced in 2012 and was completed in 2017, barely 3 years, we have to convert it to standard gauge in line with the policy that all new constructions of railway will be standard gauge,” he said.

The impact for the contract cannot be understated, says Richard Dombo, CEO of the Railways Development Authority, who signed on behalf of Government.