President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has disclosed government’s decision to absorb Neoplan Ghana Ltd into its flagship 1-District-1-Factory (1D1F) initiative to help resuscitate the company.
This followed a request made to the President by the Member of Parliament for Bantama, Francis Asenso Boakye, and the Managing Director of Neoplan Ghana, Mr Georges Nassar, for an intervention by the government to save the company from imminent collapse.
Neoplan (Ghana) Ltd, established in 1974 under the Kutu Acheampong Regime as a joint-venture company between the Government of Ghana and Gottlob Auwarter GmbH to produce buses for Ghana’s public transport fleet, has been on the decline for some time.
The company at a point time became the first bus manufacturing plant in West Africa.
It would be recalled that on the assumption of office of the NPP Government in 2001, Neoplan Ghana was contracted to build 450 buses for the Metro Mass Transport fleet.
This contract was for a period of 8 years, ending in July 2010.
Since then, the company has not been able to secure any such Government contract, and, with the inability of the company to secure orders from the private sector, its operations have been limited to bus repair and maintenance services, which have led to recurring losses.
Visiting the premises of the company on the final day of his 4-day tour of the company on Monday, the President noted that it was under the Government of John Agyekum Kufuor, in 2001, that the company’s fortunes was revived, and same will be done under his administration.
Responding to a direct request from the Managing Director of Neoplan for the Metro Mass Transit Ltd to place its orders for the provision of buses with Neoplan, President Akufo-Addo stated, “We are going to make sure that order is brought very soon.”
The Minister for Trade and Industry, Mr. Alan Kyerematen stated that Neoplan has been a household name since the 70s, and, just as former President Kufuor did to ensure the revival of the company, President Akufo-Addo will do same.
He stressed that the agenda that has been pursued by President Akufo-Addo since he came into office in 2017 has been to move Ghana away from being a mere producer and exporter of raw materials to a value-added, industrialised economy, which is the surest means of creating the necessary numbers of jobs for the masses.
Neoplan, according to the Minister for Trade and Industry, was responsible for the production and distribution of 450 buses for use by the Metro Mass Transit, some of which are still very much in use.
“The President has heard you clearly. All you want is that what Kufuor did, President Akufo-Addo should do the same for you… If Ghana has the money to import buses, which in turn creates jobs for foreigners, why don’t we use the same money to import to recapitalise Neoplan? This is what the President is going to do for you. There are good times ahead of Neoplan. Neoplan shall rise again,” Alan Kyerematen added.
Reconstruction of Anwiankwanta-Obuasi Road
President Akufo-Addo also inspected ongoing work on the construction of the 30-kilometre Anwiankwanta – Obuasi Road, which has been awarded to Messrs Joshob Construction Company Limited, at a contract price of GH¢321,999,853.71.
The project is expected to be completed within 48 calendar months, ending on 18th December, 2023, and it is being financed through the Consolidated Fund of the Government of Ghana.
The rehabilitation works involve site clearance and demolition, provision of roadside drains to effect proper drainage of road to ensure pavement longevity, sectional ground improvement with boulders, provision of asphalt concrete surfacing and provision of roadline markings and road signs to enhance safety of road users.
Currently, the progress of works stands at 82% completion, and, when completed, the road will enhance socio-economic activities in the area, and facilitate the efficient movement of people and goods to towns such as Anwiankwanta, Daa, Patasi, Kwapia, Dadwen, Obuasi and the surrounding communities.
The improved condition of the road will promote agricultural activities, trade and ensure efficient delivery of services in Bekwai Municipal and Obuasi Municipality and their contiguous districts.
