Buses
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday commissioned the first batch of 45 buses out of 100 VDL Intercity buses procured for use by the Metro Mass Transit Ltd.
The President described the acquisition of the buses as significant, saying it would provide the country with an opportunity to boost the capacity of the public transportation system.
According to him, the presence of an efficient transportation system is a vital contributor to the growth of the economy.
This, he said, was the reason to re-launch the Metro Mass Transport system throughout the regional capitals through sustained investments in infrastructure and services.
“The Minister of Transport tells me this project is being implemented in phases, with the first phase covering the purchase of a total of 100 buses, and after-sales-services support and sufficient spare parts to restore some 50 broken down buses,” he pointed out.
The President further noted that technical assistance, in the form of a grant from the Belgian Government, was also being provided to cover training of drivers and maintenance staff, and operational support to the company.
Appreciation
He expressed gratitude to the Belgian Government for providing both financial and technical support for the buses.
President Akufo-Addo noted that Ghana and the Kingdom of Belgium has a long-standing relationship, stressing “this has transitioned into many strategic partnerships in key sectors of the economy, in particular in the road transport services sector”.
He recounted that, under the administration of the former President Kufuor, some 513 VDL intercity buses were supplied to Metro Mass Transit Ltd. through a concessionary financing from the Belgian government.
“I am informed that the Belgian government is extending yet another concessionary financing for the acquisition of some 50 buses every year for the next five years to augment further the fleet of the company,” he said.
Public asset neglect
The Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, bemoaned the neglect and mishandling of public assets, which had eaten into the country’s social fabric, and caused an enormous drain on national resources.
He therefore admonished the board and management of the public transport company to take the necessary steps to ensure that the buses to stand the test of time.
“It is good to see that Metro Mass Transit Ltd is reclaiming its status as a critical public transportation service provider, which serves the Ghanaian people with dedication,” he added.
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