The Public Relations Officer of the Concerned Drivers Association, David Agboado, has called for the removal of the Minister for Transport, Joseph Bukari Nikpe, accusing him of poor management of the transport sector in Accra and other major cities.
According to the Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU), the country’s largest private transport union, although improvements have been observed in the performance of some government ministers, the Transport Minister has failed to effectively address persistent challenges in the sector.
This comes amid worsening transport conditions in Accra, where many commuters are left stranded during rush hours, while others are forced to pay unapproved fares.
Speaking to JoyNews, Mr Agboado said the Minister has failed to engage transport unions on the challenges confronting the sector, arguing that the lack of stakeholder consultation makes his continued stay in office untenable.
“The government has to sit up and analyse the situation so that we can solve it amicably. But if I have to speak frankly, the Minister of Transport should not be at post again. The Transport Minister must go,” he stated.
He accused the Minister of non-performance, saying his output pales in comparison to that of other public officials. He cited what he described as improved performance at institutions such as the Gold Board, the Ministry of Finance, the Bank of Ghana and the National Petroleum Authority.
“When you go to the Gold Board, the CEO is performing well. In the finance sector, Seth Terkper is performing well. Ato Forson is performing well. At the Bank of Ghana, the Governor is performing well. At the NPA, fuel prices have reduced from about 17 cedis to between 10 and 11 cedis,” he said.
“So what is the Transport Minister doing in his office?” he questioned.
Mr Agboado also criticised the Minister’s response to transport shortages in November and December, when assurances were given that State Transport Company (STC) buses would be deployed to ease commuter hardship.
“He said STC would be brought in to reduce the pressure. Have we seen the STC buses on the roads? Are people not still going through the same stress?” he asked.
He further accused the Minister of prioritising the passage of the Okada Bill, which regulates commercial motorcycle operations, at the expense of addressing broader transport challenges.
“What he has done creditably is to ensure the Okada Bill is passed. That is why some of us call him the ‘Okada Minister.’ But can Okada carry five people from Accra to Tema?” he asked.
Explaining the causes of the current transport crisis, Mr Agboado attributed the situation to a reduction in the number of operational commercial vehicles, largely due to the high cost of spare parts.
He said between 45 and 50 per cent of vehicles are currently off the roads because drivers cannot afford essential components.
Although the cedi has shown relative stability, he said spare parts dealers have refused to reduce prices accordingly. He cited sharp increases in the cost of key components for Sprinter buses, which are widely used for commercial transport.
“A back axle that used to cost GH¢5,000 now sells for between GH¢7,500 and GH¢8,000. A steering rack that was GH¢1,800 now costs GH¢2,500, yet we are told spare parts prices have reduced,” he said.
While acknowledging some reduction in tyre prices, Mr Agboado stressed that more critical and expensive parts such as engines, axles and steering systems remain unaffordable, especially given the age of most commercial vehicles.
“Our vehicles are overaged. Some of them were registered as far back as 2012 and are still in use today. Once vehicles are overaged, the consequences are inevitable,” he explained.
He accused the Ministry of Transport and government communicators of failing to adequately represent and address the concerns of transport operators.
Meanwhile, commuters in Accra continue to express frustration over the deteriorating transport situation, citing long waiting times, overcrowding and rising fares.
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