Aveng Infraset of South Africa is to establish a factory in Sekondi to produce sleepers and other services for the railway industry. The company with offices in almost all African countries is known for its leading role in construction across the continent with over 50 years’ experience.
This was announced by Joe Ghartey, Minister of Railway Development, when he and a delegation visited Paramount Chief Essikado to brief him about the project. He was accompanied by John Essel, MD of Railways and Desmond Dickson, CEO of Concrete Products and Logistics Limited, a Ghanaian partner for the project.
Ghartey, said the establishment of the company in Ghana affirmed the confidence the international community had in the government to revive the railway sector. He said many investors had expressed interest in partnering the government to revive the railway sector, which required $7 billion to bring it into perspective.
Kobus Burger, GM and International Operations Director of Aveng Infraset said Ghana had all the raw materials needed for the Railway industry and therefore did not see the need for the country to import the produce at a higher cost. He said producing the sleepers and other products locally would come at a cheaper cost to the government, create jobs and offer another opportunity to grow the local economy.
Nana Nketsia called on the government to put in place an enabling environment for the African youth to be economically empowered.
