Plans for the Transport Industry

The Deputy Minister for Roads and Transport, Mr. K. Agyeman-Manu says government is committed to the creation of a conducive and enabling environment for a vibrant and profitable transport industry.

He said government has secured funding to reconstruct major roads in the country including the Accra-Aflao, Accra-Yamoranza, and Accra- Kumasi and Accra-Mamfe trunk roads.

He said the stabilization of the cedi against major foreign currencies, the drastic fall in inflation rates among other economic indices are positive signs that should help relieve transport operators of some of the cumbersome financial burdens they carry.

The Deputy Minister was speaking at the presentation of the Euro Market Award won by the Kingdom Transport Services (KTS) in Accra last week.

The award is presented annually to companies or individuals within and outside the European Union to acknowledge "excellence in quality, innovative business practices, outstanding business performance and managerial achievement while adapting to international standards".

On the mass transport system the Deputy Minister said plans were far advanced to improve the system.

He acknowledged the fact that the industry is dominated by private operators. "This inevitably is the reason why government deems it imperative to intervene to encourage the private sector in general and the transport operators in particular to adopt new strategies to revive and streamline their activities and make them sustainable," he said.

He stated that the National Road Safety Committee is being strengthened to enable it intensify its educational campaigns on road safety awareness among drivers and other road users.

The Chief Executive Officer of KTS, Mr. Felix Kwame Semavor said the award was proof enough that KTS during its nine years of operations has made indelible marks on the transport industry. "KTS ensures effective service delivery through the dedication of its management staff," he said.

He reiterated his company's commitment and readiness to support government's efforts towards improving the transport system in the country generally and the mass transport sector in particular by bringing to government's notice age old problems facing transport operators in the country such as the taxes on imported buses meant for public passenger services which go to increase the total cost of operation.