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The government plans to develop sea and rail transport systems as an alternative to road travel, to ease the traffic congestion that heavily impacts transportation across Ghana’s roads and also affects productivity.
He said the sea and rail transport had been under-utilised as the country had always depended heavily on road transport with occasional use of air travel.
He stated that given the challenges of road transport and its impact on productivity, it was time to also steadily develop rail and sea transport.
The Minister designate for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, unveiled this plan when he took his turn before the Appointments Committee for his vetting last Thursday.
That, he said, would be pursued by rolling out a public-private partnership which would encourage the private sector to venture in that sector.
“We will engage the private sector to also venture into the sea and rail transport, such that we ease the roads of traffic or have alternative means of travelling,” Mr Nikpe said.
On air transport and aviation, the Minister designate for Transport noted that it was quite expensive, stressing that the sector required ongoing engagement and improvements in facilities to reduce the high costs that are passed on to travellers.
“Doing business in Ghana’s air space sometimes looks expensive, so they pass on the bills to passengers.
“If we have centres to maintain or for them to refuel, and they will not go to any other country, at least, the cost of business will reduce and airfares will also have a reduction,” the minister designate emphasised.
Mr Nikpe, also said, while his focus would be on developing alternative and sustainable means of transportation, he would also ensure that the electronic buses procured by the previous Akufo-Addo administration would be well utilised to improve public transportation.
He, however, said it was important to assess the suitability of the buses for Ghana’s transport conditions.
“We will put them into use, assess them, and see whether they are suitable for our conditions. If they fit our conditions, why not? We will fully integrate them into our transport sector,” he stated.
The introduction of electronic buses was aimed at reducing transport fares and modernising the public transport system.
