Veep inspects lake transport vehicles at Akosombo
All is set for the government to deploy four lake transport vehicles to enhance the transportation of goods and services in communities along the Volta Lake.
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The four – a large ferry and three water buses - are currently undergoing testing and defects correction at the Volta Lake Transport Company’s base at Akosombo in the Eastern Region, before their deployment.
In terms of the destination of the water buses, one each is to be deployed to Kpando and Kete-Krachi, while the other would be ready to serve any community that will require its services at a particular time.
Inspection
The Vice-President, Mr Kwesi Amissah-Arthur, yesterday inspected the lake transport vehicles at Akosombo, ahead of their inauguration.
The inspection was informed by an appeal by the Krachiwura, Nana Mprah Besemuna III, at last Saturday’s Yam Festival at Kete-Krachi, requesting the Vice-President to ensure the restoration of pontoon services which were suspended when the pontoon that served the area was removed for rehabilitation in 2003.
The Krachiwura appealed to the government to ensure the return of the pontoon which was rehabilitated and handed over to the Volta Lake Transport Company.
He said the people had a sentimental attachment to that pontoon because it was constructed specifically for them by the late President John Atta Mills.
Mr Amissah-Arthur promised to ensure that the pontoon was returned, hence his visit to Akosombo.
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Accompanying the Vice-President were the Minister of Transport, Mrs Dzifa Aku Ativor; the Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Antwi Boasiako-Sekyere; the Asuogyaman District Chief Executive, Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem and the Managing Director of the Volta River Authority, Mr Kirk Kwofie.
The Vice-President and his entourage were given a ferry ride to enable him to appreciate the state of the facility.
Briefing journalists, Mr Amissah-Arthur said the engineers were still testing the vehicles to ensure that they did not have any defects before they were deployed.
He added that the government would continue to redeem its pledge to the people and assured the people along the Volta Lake of the government’s commitment to addressing their concerns, especially issues relating to cross-river movements.
Transport Minister
Mrs Ativor, in an interview, said the government was committed to ensuring safety on the Volta Lake, for which reason it had procured water buses for some communities along the lake.
The new water buses have the capacity to carry 50 passengers and would make the journey from Akosombo to Kete-Krachi in six hours.
Mrs Ativor said the government would continue to invest in lake transportation to help boost commercial activities for the people in that area.
Writer’s email: sebastian.syme4@gmail.com