Deputy Minister for Railway Development, Kwaku Asante-Boateng, has disclosed that the country is losing an amount of $200 million to railway lines theft.
This, according to the Deputy Minister, is affecting the revamping of the railway sector.
Addressing journalists on the matter in the Western Region, he said the Ministry has begun retrieving some of the stolen rail tracks.
He lamented that metal theft on the railways is on the rise in Ghana, and delaying the progress on initiatives by the government.
He, said thieves are still attracted to the metals because they are of high value, but the activities of these criminals are depleting the finances of the state.
It is believed that the thieves steal the metals under the cover of darkness and sell them as scrap to their potential buyers.
He appealed to communities with rail lines to be vigilant, and give information to the Police so persons behind the stealing of the metals would be arrested and prosecuted.
He said, as the country moves towards the standard gauge lanes for its railway projects, there are still efforts by the ministry to protect old lines.
He stressed that the destruction and stealing of rail tracks pose a threat to the country.
The tracks he stated belong to the state, and when caught stealing them, you would be arrested, prosecuted and jailed.
”Let us collaborate with the Police to ensure that those stealing the rail tracks are arrested and prosecuted. This is the only way to stop the menace,” he said.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com
