350 new buses for Mass Metro Transit

Accra, Jan. 22, GNA- The Metro Mass Transit Company are to receive 350 new buses in addition to the 262 old ones to improve transportation in urban areas, President John Agyekum Kufuor, said on Thursday in his State of the Nation Address to Parliament, on Thursday.

Two hundred and fifty of new buses would be imported from China, while 100 DAF/Neoplan buses would be ordered from Holland. President Kufuor said the new 48 luxury coaches received by the Inter City STC Company would make inter city transportation safer and more comfortable.


The Address, which covered issues on the management of the Economy, the Five Priority Areas of Government-Infrastructure, Private-Sector Development, Modernised Agriculture, Enhanced Social Services and Good Governance- Peace and Security and others, highlighted some of the gains made in those areas and targets for the year. The President talked about the success chalked in the railway sector in the past year and reaffirmed the commitment to make its services even better.


He said: "Last year some of the existing wagons were rehabilitated and new high-density coaches purchased. This enabled the sector to haul 1.57 million tonnes of freight as against the targeted 1.4 million tonnes, showing an increase of 11 percent.


"...The target is to increase the high-density coaches to meet the increased demands of both freight and passenger services." On the situation of the cash-strapped national airline Ghana Airways, President Kufuor acknowledged the limited improvement made and said the Government would continue to support efforts that would revamp the airline.


"The cost of these un-daunting efforts is daunting, but Government, guided by a vision, which is practical and attainable, is determined to help rehabilitate the Airline one way or the other even if as a joint-venture company flying the National Flag," he said. By the end of the first quarter, President Kufuor said, the refurbished Departure Hall of the Kotoka International Airport would be operational.


The Airport is being modernised with the installation of aero bridges and aperture satellite equipment to improve aeronautic communication, he said.

President Kufuor re-affirmed government's determination to improve the road sector to achieve social-economic development He said 2,000 kilometres of feeder roads were gravelled, rehabilitated or spot improved, adding that, 120 km of town roads were tarred.


Additionally, walk ways and safe roads were provided to improve the safety of pedestrians, particularly school children. Vice President Aliu Mahama and his wife Hajia Ramatu, Members of the Judiciary, Council of State, Ministers of State, and the Diplomatic Corps and the First Lady Theresa Kufuor were among across-section of the public in Parliament to listen to the Address.


Professor Evans Atta Mills, GCPP Leader Dan Lartey and leaders of other minority parties were in the House.


At the end of it all, President Kufuor received a standing ovation for his speech, which he preceded with comments about the state of the Economy in 2001 when he assumed office.


Majority Leader Felix Owusu-Agyepong described it as "thought-provoking" but the Minority Leader, Alban Bagbin said it was "inconsiderate".