MP, DCE debunk political sabotage claim in Tema- Mpakadan train crash
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 rail accident, have collectively debunked political sabotage as the cause of the train crash on the Tema-Mpakadan road.
The incident took place on Thursday April 18, 2024 in the afternoon when one of the newly imported Diesel Multiple Unit (DMU) trains, produced by a Polish manufacturer, was conducting a test run on the Tema-Mpakadan railway route.
The train collided with stationery 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 next day by the Juapong Circuit Court.
Vehicle owner Ebenezer Sackitey explained to Kasapa News that the driver had gone to the Abotia community to offload cement blocks but due to the height of the vehicle he struggled under-bridge but faced more difficulties passing under the bridge at the far end of the community.
He said the driver then decided to return, and drive over the rail line to cross to the other side but the vehicle but got stuck on the rail line.
Unfortunately, the train then collided with the vehicle.
“I was in the block factory when my driver came to me that he was passing through the under-bridge where the railway is but he finds it difficult to pass there so after offloading the blocks when he was coming back he was not able to pass there so he has to turn back. You can see scratches under the bridge. The vehicle was taller now f8irst because of the load it was down small so he took different alternative”.
He continued that “He passed through the rail way and he stucked. He said he needed jerk to jerk it so the car can move quickly. Even though he was coming with the jerk then he heard that the train smash the car into pieces .We went to the police station to lodge official complaint. The gave him bail and later arrested him. I am not aware of the test run, if I were we would have taken it quickly or even the car will not oass there. I don’t do politics so it not a sabotage. I am a business man. I am not a politician” The Vehicle owner, Ebenezer Sackitey said.
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 thee are buildings on both ends of the railway line and so definitely people will need to cross to other side and looking at the passage provided -underbridge and 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 mwe should not assume that only saloon vehicle that will be crossing to the other side. We should make provisions for bigger trucks, ” said Thomas Ampem Nyarko
The MP described as 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”
The DCE for North Tongu, Divine Osborn Fenu, stated that the accident should not be politicized and, though unfortunate, 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 the concerns raised by the residents. Will convey the grievances of the people to the engineer. We should not politicized everything” The DCE said.
Belko Abubakari, Assembly Member 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 3km height underbridge, intended to facilitate safe movement of vehicles and residents, was built away from the community, forcing residents, especially children, to cross the rail lines unsafely.
