GRDA Warns Public Against Illegal Sale and Lease of Railway Lands

The Ghana Railway Development Authority (GRDA) has alerted the public to what it describes as unlawful activities involving the sale and leasing of railway lands and buildings in parts of the country.

In a statement issued under the directive of the Minister for Transport, Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, the Chief Executive Officer of the GRDA, Dr Frederick Appoh, said the Authority had received reports that certain unscrupulous individuals, including some former workers of the erstwhile Ghana Railway Company Limited, are illegally selling and leasing railway properties in the Western, Western North, and Ashanti Regions.

According to the GRDA, these transactions are being carried out without the authority of the Railway Development Authority and are in direct violation of the Railways Act, 2008 (Act 779) and relevant provisions of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921).

Investigations by the Authority further reveal that some of the individuals involved are fraudulently backdating transactions in an attempt to give them an appearance of legitimacy. The GRDA has stated categorically that such dealings are unlawful and will not be recognised.

The Authority has notified the public that it will not regularise any leases or transactions originating from the erstwhile GRCL that were undertaken without lawful authority and in contravention of the Presidential directive on the sale of government lands and assets.

Members of the public have been strongly advised not to purchase, lease, or enter into any transaction involving GRDA lands or buildings unless duly authorised by the Ghana Railway Development Authority.

The GRDA warned that any person who engages in such unauthorised transactions does so entirely at his or her own risk.

The Authority said it is collaborating with the appropriate state institutions to investigate the illegal activities and will take the necessary legal action against all persons found to be involved.

Click to read more: https://opemsuo.com/author/hajara-fuseini/