Transport Minister says no compensation for railway line encroachers

There are more than 60 illegal buildings along the Baatsona stretch of the railway line that has been earmarked for demolition by the Ledzokuku Krowor Municipal Assembly (LEKMA).

“We cannot allow illegal occupants to prevent us from developing our nation. Some houses will have to go and some demolition will have to take place. And no compensation will be paid because it is illegal occupancy. So nobody should expect government to pay compensation to those who will be affected,” the Minister for Transport, Dzifa Attivor has said.

Speaking to the media during a tour of Batsonaa and Achimota Train Stations, Attivor said, “Government is committed to developing the railway sector. The infrastructure work is ongoing. The challenge that we have is the encroachment but we are the lucky the Municipal Authority has done some sensitization and will have to relocate the people.”

According to her there is an investor on the line now trying to do feasibility studies to come and construct the rail line.

Adjetey Jotey, a 25-year-old resident to be affected said the Baatsona Train Station Master by name Mr Amoo sold a piece of land within the reservation area to him. He is currently developing the land but said he will stop work and retrieve his money. According to him, he bought the land at the cost of GH¢2000. The station master was not present during our visit.

The reservation area from the rail line to a building range between 200 and sometimes 600 metres, the Acting Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Railway Development Authority, Alhaji Alidu Sadik said.

According to him, the whole of Kantamanto market is a railway reservation.
The Baatsona and Achimota Train Stations are currently receiving finishing touches for official commissioning and public use.

By Pascal Kelvin Kudiabor