Govt signs US$560m contract to construct Western Railway line

Government of Ghana has signed a US$560 million agreement with Amandi Holdings Limited for the construction of have signed a $560 million agreement for the construction of sections of the Western Railway Line.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA), Mr Richard Diegong Dombo signed on behalf of the Ghana government, with the Managing Director of Amandi Holdings Limited, Mr Nadav Simhoni, signing for his company.

The signing of the agreement would be followed by Cabinet’s approval for it to be taken to Parliament.

The projects consist of the construction of sections of the Western Railway Line, standard gauge between Takoradi port and Huni Valley, forming a total of 102km

It will also include a single-track rail line with stations along the tracks, an initial workshop facility at the location and a complement rolling stock.

The Project, which is the biggest single railway contract in Ghana since independence is scheduled to commence in October 2020, and expected to be completed within 42 months.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Minister of Railway Development, Mr Joe Ghartey, said the indicative scope of works of the project includes the construction, provision, testing and commissioning of other works; such as the construction of approximately eight kilometres of standard gauge railway tracks connecting the existing dual gauge tracks in Takoradi to the Takoradi Port for easy and efficient access for cargo handling.

He said the scope of the work would also include the conversion of 10.6km dual gauge tracks between Takoradi to Kojokrom from narrow gauge to standard gauge.

He said it would also include the construction of a by-pass section along the Kojokrom to Manso section of the Western Railway Line at Eshiem, to enhance the speed of the final infrastructure and meet the requirement and specification in the reviewed 2020 Railway Master Plan.

“It also includes the construction of the Railway Line from Manso to Huni Valley approximately 60km of single track lines, and in addition the construction of eight 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 will also involve the construction of a workshop facility for standard gauge rolling stock including the basic fit-out, basic tools and essential machine,” he stated.