As part of measures to improve public transport system in the country, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday presented 100 buses to the Intercity STC Coaches Limited.
This is the largest supply of buses to the company since its establishment over three decades ago.
Presenting the buses to the company, President Akufo-Addo stated that this demonstrates Government’s commitment to revamping the operations of the STC, and position it to play its role as the most celebrated transport company in the country.
It would be recalled that the company, in 2016, took delivery of 50 buses.
However, towards meeting the aspiration of the company in expanding its services to other West African countries, there was the need to procure more buses.
In fulfillment of this, the Akufo-Addo Government took steps to assist the STC to acquire 100 new buses on the company’s own balance sheet.
Expressing his delight at the success story of STC, the President applauded Nana Akomea, Managing Director of the company for ensuring that the state of STC is now of a “state-owned company that is determined to stand on its own feet, pay its way in the world, and contribute rather than be dependent on the public exchequer. We should give a very big round of applause to the CEO and the management of the STC.”
With COVID, and the closure of borders, having impacted negatively on the company’s revenue stream, especially as 50% of its operations is ‘ECOWAS-based’, he stated that Government decided to step in provide support for the STC so it can continue to operate.
“Again, I am very happy to hear that, after December, when the support runs out, they will be in a position to stand on their own two feet and proceed from there. We have to salute his determination.
“We know how important transport is to the economy of our country, and the work of the STC to the economic development of our country is extremely significant”, he added.
President Akufo-Addo was confident of the enormous benefits to be accrued from the presentation of the buses to STC.
He urged the company to provide even better services to its patrons, and to those along the new routes to be developed.
Metro Mass Transit
Towards improving the country’s transportation sector, government has also procured 100 buses for the Metro Mass Transit Limited.
Funds are also being secured for the supply of a total of 400 buses from Korea and Belgian to augment the existing fleet.
All these buses are expected to be in the country by the second quarter of 2021.
The President urged management of STC to continue to inculcate serious maintenance regimes into their operations to enable the citizenry derive value for money, and ensure that there are no revenue leakages.
