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“Don’t
preside over the collapse of GRC”- workers and Management
told
Essikado (W/R) March 23,- Ghanadot/GNA - Nana Kobina Nketsia
V, Omanhene of Essikado Traditional Area in the Western
Region has added his voice to the call on both workers and
management of the Ghana Railway Company (GRC) to depart from
their entrenched positions and cooperate to find amicably
resolve the current impasse that is gradually collapsing the
company.
He reminded both the workers and management that the future
of the Company was in their hands and they should not let it
collapse while they looked on.
“The people had always and rightly so, associated the
economic growth and development of the area and the country
as a whole in the railways industry, hence our interests in
its affairs” he said, adding, “To us “railways is Ghana and
Ghana is railways; we cannot afford to let it collapse”.
Nana Nketsia was speaking to the Ghana News Agency at
Essikado on efforts being made by the Traditional Council,
on the quiet to get the striking railways workers to resume
work as soon as possible.
He said the Traditional Area was not only associated with
the country’s independence struggle it had over the years
also taken much interest in the growth and development of
other institutions, including the GRC that operates from the
area.
The fortunes of GRC had had direct or indirect impact on the
people in the community, Nana Nketsia said.
He said the Traditional Council was working tirelessly
behind the scenes to complement efforts to find lasting
solutions to the misunderstanding between the workers and
their management.
Nana Nketsia disclosed that he had convened a first round
meeting with the “parties” with the exception of Government
and made a proposal for an independent body that would go
into the grievances and complaints of workers and
management.
This, he said, would form the basis for working out a
settlement that would then involve Government and other
parties.
Nana Nketsia said the problems confronting the GRC were a
“historic one” that was compounded by the removal of
subvention for the company in 1977 and therefore would
require short and long term solutions.
“The problems of the GRC are not of today, it is believed
both management and workers had contributed in no small way
to the present predicament and I hope all concerned will
understand”, he said.
Nana Nketsia also questioned the wisdom in the “systematic
neglect” of the railway system that was used for bulk
haulage of timber, bauxite, cocoa, manganese and petroleum
products that was more efficient and economical.
He said the social and economic cost of transporting these
items by road was enormous and added that those who benefit
from the later would work to discourage the effort to revamp
the railway system and urged the authorities to sit up.
GNA
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