The Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman and the District Chief Executive for North Tongu, along with the owner of the Hyundai Gold 5-tonne vehicle involved in the accident on Tema-Mpakadan railway, have collectively debunked claims of political sabotage.
The incident took place on Thursday, April 18, 2024, when one of the newly imported Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains, produced by a Polish manufacturer, was conducting a test run.
The train collided with a stationary Hyundai truck with registration number GS 9018-20 stuck on the rail line at Abotia community.
A statement from the Ministry of Railway Development confirmed that passengers were not injured in the accident.
However, the vehicle’s driver, 41-year-old Able Dzidotor was arrested and sentenced to six months in jail the next day by the Juapong Circuit Court.
The Member of Parliament for Asuogyaman, Thomas Ampem Nyarko condemned the driver for attempting to cross the rail tracks but emphasized the need for the constructor to review access routes to communities along the rail lines.
“I also think that looking at the situation here and the alternative route that has been provided by other users, vehicles to cross the area, the engineering work would have to be improved. If you look at this community there are buildings on both ends of the railway line so definitely people will need to cross to the other side looking at the passage provided underbridge and the fact that the vehicle crossing had to scratch under the bridge shows that, the space there is not long enough for vehicles that are a bit higher. We should not assume that only saloon vehicles will be crossing to the other side. We should make provisions for bigger trucks,” Thomas Ampem Nyarko said.
The MP described it as a ridiculous attempt to blame the accident on political sabotage.
“I want to say that it is ridiculous for anybody to think that this accident was deliberate and that it was a sabotage by some individuals or group of individuals”.
Also, the DCE for North Tongu, Divine Osborn Fenu stated that, the accident should not be politicized.
Though unfortunate, he said it should guide future safety measures in the communities along the railway lines.
“It is sad that anything that happens is politicized. This is an accident that has happened. Let’s solve the problem of the concerns raised by the residents. Will convey the grievances of the people to the engineer. We should not politicize everything,” the DCE said.
Belko Abubakari, Assemblyman for the Ayimagonu Electoral Area described the challenges faced by the community in accessing their homes and dismissed claims that the accident was politically motivated.
He rather called on the Ghana Railway Authority to sit with the communities to find ways to create access roads for them.
He said the three meters height under bridge, intended to facilitate safe movement of vehicles and residents, was built away from the community, forcing residents, especially children, to cross the rail lines.
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