The State Transport Corporation (STC), which until recently carved a niche for itself in the transport sector, is now plagued with numerous challenges.
Today the once vibrant state-owned transport company is on the brink of collapse, as it faces huge logistical and financial problems.
To assist the company to effectively carry out its mandate of offering reliable, safe and comfortable transportation services to its clients, JA Plantpool Ghana Limited, sole importers of Yutong passenger buses, has handed over 10 32-seater luxurious buses to STC under a flexible re-payment plan.
Receiving the vehicles, Brigadier General (Rtd) Edward Lord Attivor, General Manager of STC, noted that the current crisis is alarming, adding that the company needs public-private partnership to help revamp it.
He said in the last one and half years, the company's buses have reduced from 70 to as low as 30, a development he attributed to the company's inability to access spare parts.
He expressed gratitude to J A Plantpool for delivering the buses at the right time and was optimistic that they will help the company to meet the needs of customer and restore its glory.
The Minister of Transport, Collins Dauda, on his part, also acknowledged the numerous challenges facing STC, and stated that 'STC has failed to realize that it's in serious competition with private transport firms who are constantly increasing their fleet to meet the ever growing demands by their customers.'
He therefore restated government's willingness to help resuscitate STC by encouraging the private sector to invest in the company.
The Managing Director of J A Plantpool, Lolu Akindele stated that 'the support package being given to STC includes training of STC drivers at our training school, to familiarize themselves with the special and unique features of the buses; maintenance of the buses by our well trained staff in our state-of-the-art workshops; constant supply of original spare parts; and warranty of 100,00km or 12 months which ever comes first.'
He said the delivery of the buses is part of a pilot scheme and promised to supply more buses to STC in due course subject to performance of the current pilot project.
'This is the beginning of a journey that we hope will lead to the revival of STC,' Mr. Akindele added.
He indicated that J A Plantpool has so far imported 800 units of Yutong buses, most of which have been deployed across the country.
The company, he emphasized, also offers superior technical support at its modern workshops and also ensures availability of genuine spare parts which are imported directly from suppliers.
By Esther Awuah
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