Government inaugurates Achimota Transport Terminal

Accra, Dec. 17, GNA - President John Evans Atta Mills on Thursday noted that easing traffic congestions in the cities does not depend on the construction of more roads but their effective management. He said reducing the embarrassing congestions on the roads was critical to free traffic flow.

President Mills made the observation in an address read on his behalf at the inauguration of the 800 capacity Achimota Transport Terminal in Accra. The terminal which forms part of the second phase of the Ofankor-Nsawam road project was funded by the government at 4.5 million Ghana cedis. It has a clinic, restaurants, offices and 11 hectare parking lot. He pledged government's determination to solve the intra- city transportation problems through the use of high occupancy vehicles and increase discipline and efficiency in urban transportation.

President Mills observed that these measures are necessary because about 80 per cent of the public use public transport. He appealed to the Accra Metropolitan Authority to collaborate with the ministries to decongest the metropolis to ensure "a better city within a better Ghana". He said the on-going emergency road rehabilitation projects in Accra at Dansoman, Adjirigarnor and Spintex were part of government's efforts to improve the road network in the metropolis.

Mr. Joe Gidisu, Minister of Roads and Highways said completion of the project would bring a lot of relief to motorists and the public. He called on Ghanaians to protect the edifice as a national asset by using it properly and taking good care of it through the necessary maintenance culture.

Dr. Alfred Vanderpuije, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive said the project was of great importance to the AMA under its vision of "A new Accra for a Better Ghana." He said the Earth Institute of Columbia University, in the US, would soon adopt Accra as the Millennium City. He noted that the many transport stations on the Accra-Nsawam road tend to congest the network. "All these stations will be relocated to the new terminal," he said, adding that the charcoal trucks along the road would also be relocated at a special place outside the terminal.

Dr. Vanderpuije said AMA, would soon embark on a demolition exercise to remove all unauthorised structures at Agbogbloshie, Tema and Takoradi stations. He announced that AMA had enacted bye-laws to regulate commercial transport service in Accra.