Deputy Minister of Transport, Titus Glover, has expressed grave concern about the decision of VIP Bus Company Ltd to prevent Intercity STC from operating at its newly acquired yard at Asafo Market in Kumasi.
Ghana is a democratic country, where the rule of law exists and it is therefore unacceptable for VIP Bus officials to breach the law and prevent Intercity STC from legally operating, the Minister stated.
VIP Bus officials used their vehicles to block the road to prevent Intercity STC buses which had passengers, from moving to Accra from the Asafo Market yard on Monday morning.
The VIP Bus officials argued that the operation of Intercity STC at Asafo Market could pose threat to their existence.
The police were called to maintain law and order.
According to Titus Glover, Intercity STC, which is an agency under his ministry, has proper legal documentations to operate at the newly acquired yard at Asafo Market.
The Minister, who rushed to the Asafo Market yesterday morning, told DAILY GUIDE that “I am here on emergency, I was from Lawra heading to Accra when I had information that there was anarchy between STC and VIP.
“I therefore decided to stop over since the STC is an agency under my ministry. When I arrived here I was told an Accra-bound STC bus was prevented from moving by the VIP officials until the police and city officials stepped in.
“I learnt the police helped before the two STC buses could move to Accra and I will urge the police to provide protection so that buses can also move because the STC has legal documentation to operate here. The STC yard at Asafo is a bit far from where the VIP Bus terminal is so I don’t see why VIP is protesting against the STC.”
He said Intercity STC’s operations at the Asafo Market will promote a healthy competition between the two transport entities.
Mr Glover said similar competition exists in the aviation industry where customers can select Starbow or African World airline, saying that he would stay in Kumasi to hold a meeting to resolve the impasse.
Meanwhile, Samuel Oppong, STC Board Chairman, who was also at the Asafo Market, expressed disappointment in the conduct of officials of VIP.
He said STC has all the required documents to operate from the Asafo Market yard so “what the VIP officials did this morning is unthinkable,” adding that the law must be enforced for STC to operate at the place in peace.
On his part, Kwabena Sintim Aboagye, Deputy Managing Director of STC in-charge of operations, said the GPRTU Kokofu branch had sublet its yard for 24 years to the STC to operate, adding that nobody can stop the state transporter from operating at the terminal.
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