Minister for Railways Development, Joe Ghartey has assured custodians of the land along the eastern railway project that government will ensure their compensation packages are paid before the end of this year.

The construction of the 84 kilometres railway line from Tema to Akosombo has stalled for some time now pending evaluation from the Lands Commission and other technical gaps that need to be dealt with.

Mr Ghartey who paid a working visit to the traditional authorities in the Eastern and some part of the Greater Accra region promised that their compensation packages are being budgeted as part of the entire project cost.

The Minister and entourage held a durbar with the chiefs of Krobo, Asuogyamang and Shai Osudoku to inform them about the progress of work on the project.

He said, “We assure you that we shall pay your compensation to you, please allow as to continue with the project because the more it delays, the more the cost goes up."

The constitution gives the president the power to take on important projects on the lands but it is proper that we come to notify the landowners of our intention to enter their territory and gets their blessings.

Let us continue with the work whilst the land evaluation team continues work on the compensation” he said.

Railway Master Plan

 Joe Ghartey had earlier said that the Ghana Railway Master Plan, which remains a guide for the fulfillment of his Ministry’s mandate has proposed a new railway network of 4,007.km with an investment of approximately US$21,507,920.

The plan envisages that total rail network will be standard gauge and executed in six phases.