STC Operations At Asafo Market Suspended

The Ashanti Regional Security Council (REGSEC) has ordered Intercity STC to suspend its operations at its new yard at the Asafo Market in Kumasi, the regional capital.

The order for the suspension of operations is to pave way for REGSEC to amicably resolve all the challenges.

“The Intercity STC will suspend its operations at the Asafo Market while the differences among the various groups in the area are resolved to bring peace.”

This was contained in a release authored and signed by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah.

The statement was released after REGSEC met STC and VIP, two transport giants in the country.

REGSEC summoned the important meeting at the Regional Coordinating Council on Tuesday barely 24 hours after VIP officials prevented STC from operating at the Asafo Market, which nearly turned bloody.

The timely meeting, held on Tuesday, was also attended by officials of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) including the Mayor, Osei Assibey, GPRTU, Intercity STC executives and VIP top gurus.

The statement said after lengthy deliberations, it was realized that STC had not purchased any land at the Asafo Terminal, but STC has the plan of partnering with transport operator there to boost its operations.

It also came to light that there were some challenges with the STC partnership.

The attendants of the meeting agreed that further consultations among all stakeholders are required for the final determination of the case. REGSEC also ordered parties with documents on the terminal to submit them for scrutiny.

According to REGSEC, the scrutinisation of the documents would help identify the real owner of the land in question.

The Ashanti Regional Minister stated that it was unanimously agreed during the meeting that STC's decision to operate at Asafo Market was not meant to collapse the VIP.

Mr Osei-Mensah noted that the government was committed to supporting the private sector to promote the growth of businesses in the country.