News
Metro Mass sold 313 scrap buses for GHC2,500 each in 2020- Deputy MD reveals
The Deputy Managing Director of Metro Mass Transit Ltd, Haroun Apaw Wiredu, has disclosed that the company sold 313 unserviceable buses for about GHC2,500 each in October 2020.
According to him on TV3 Ghana, internal records show that the buses were declared unserviceable and disposed of during the period, generating about GHC2.9 million.
The money was expected to be paid into a bus acquisition account.
Mr Apaw Wiredu explained that Metro Mass was established in 2003 and inherited buses and assets from the defunct State Transport Corporation. At its peak, the company had over 1,000 buses nationwide.
He outlined that by 2017, Metro Mass had about 1,100 buses, with more than 600 operational and over 500 undergoing repairs.
However, when the current management assumed office in March, the number of operational buses across the country had dropped sharply to about 115.
He noted that Ghana now has 16 regional capitals and over 260 district capitals, with a population far larger than when Metro Mass was established. Despite this, the company is currently operating the lowest number of buses in its history.
Mr Apaw Wiredu revealed that more scrap buses now exist than buses actively on route. He attributed this to what he described as deliberate cannibalisation by previous management.
He explained that buses were intentionally parked and stripped of usable parts such as tyres springs and other components to repair other buses. Once most parts were removed, the buses were declared unserviceable and sold cheaply.
He questioned how a complete bus could be sold for as little as GHC2,500, stressing that even in poor condition the value should have been higher.
The Deputy MD noted that although management has not been able to recover the sold buses, an external auditor has been engaged to investigate the matter. A draft audit report has already been submitted for review.
He further disclosed that despite operating only 115 buses, Metro Mass is currently recording its highest revenue ever. This improvement followed the full automation of the company’s revenue collection system.
He explained that the automation was introduced under a three month performance contract issued by President John Dramani Mahama to reduce revenue leakages and eliminate manual cash handling.
According to him, revenue collection has increased from about GHC9.3 million in previous years to between GHC13 million and GHC14 million monthly, even during low peak periods.
Mr Apaw Wiredu added that new procurement systems have been introduced to prevent abuse and ensure spare parts are properly tracked and used for their intended purposes.
He assured that management is committed to restoring accountability improving worker welfare and rebuilding Metro Mass to serve the growing transport needs of the country.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Management and staff of Owass FM have announced the passing of media personality, comedian and politician Seth Kwame Dzokoto following a medical emergency during a live morning show discussion at the station earlier today.
According to the station, Dzokoto was participating in a panel discussion on its morning show “Oman Nkoso” when he suddenly took ill and collapsed.
A statement from the station said its team immediately rushed him to the hospital for medical attention, but he was pronounced dead by the attending medical doctor upon arrival.
“We are deeply saddened by this unfortunate incident, which occurred in the course of our regular programming. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, loved ones, colleagues, and all those who have been affected by his passing,” the statement said.
Management acknowledged that information about the incident is already circulating in the public domain, but appealed to the public and colleague media houses to respect the privacy of the bereaved family and refrain from circulating unverified information or speculation regarding the circumstances of his death.
Owass FM extended its heartfelt condolences to the family of Seth Kwame Dzokoto.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
The State through the Attorney General (AG) has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court challenging the suspension of the trial in the case of The Republic v Hanan Aludiba and Faiza Seidu.
On Monday, the Court of Appeal suspended the trial in the case. But the prosecution says it has filed an appeal against the suspension order.
According to the update, the law does not allow a criminal trial to be suspended simply because an accused person has complained about some of the charges on the charge sheet, particularly when those complaints were dismissed as meritless.
It argues that if the Court of Appeal’s decision is allowed to stand, no prosecution will ever be possible, since all it would take for a trial to be suspended is an accused person complaining about anything on the charge sheet.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
