Conakry-Kerouane railway construction works and the first Guinean iron ore concession exploitation to soon commence!
The construction of a 662 kms Conakry- Kankan railway was launched in the 40s by the French colonists who used it to export raw material to Europe and also during the Ahmed Sekou Toure regime for the transportation of citizens and merchandise.
This low-cost means of conveyance was later abandoned by Lansana Conte, whose son would have been responsible for the dismantling of rails. Such an event sparked outrage among the nation and shattered the dream of an entire population.
However, BSGR, which signed a convention with the Guinean State in December 2009 and entered into a joint venture agreement with Vale in the beginning of 2010 for the exploitation of the Simandou Blocks 1 and 2 and the Zogota deposit, enabled this Guinean dream to re-emerged on the horizon.
BSGR-Vale proposes the construction of a 700km Conakry-Kankan-Kerouane railway line, which would be done at its own expense and serve for the transportation of passengers and goods.
The operation of the Zogota and Simandou deposits will entail the construction of airports both at N'Zerekore and Kerouane and the creation of thousands of direct and indirect jobs.
These airports will inaugurate a direct Guinea-Brazil airline of less than 6 hours, avoiding then passing through Europe, according to specialists.
The Infrastructures construction works as well as the iron deposits exploitation will generate the creation of 5000 direct and over 100000 indirect jobs, thus considerably reducing the number of unemployed graduates. These young people will be trained and the Government will also benefit from tax revenues amounting to almost USD 1 billion per year. A financial boon which, if well managed, will enable the nation to live free from want.
President Alpha Conde recently welcomed the representatives of BSGR-VALE and strongly supported the project. BSGR-VALE already operated the construction vehicles parked in front of the Kenien breakers yard.
All this thank to Ibrahima Sory 2 Toure, a young Guinean who supported BSGR in the interest of all Guineans. Thank to his commitment, the country will thus not only benefit from the re-launching of its abandoned railway but also from the creation of thousands of jobs and from the government wealth. An example to follow!
Taliby Dos Camara, Aminata.com
