The State Transport Company (STC) has suffered a slump in its average monthly revenue, plummeting from GHC5.2 million to GHC1.4 million in the past few months.
This development reflects the impact of the novel coronavirus on the operations of the state-owned transport operator.
The managing director of STC, Nana Akomea, shared this news with listeners during an interview with Kojo Mensah on the Asaase Breakfast Show on an array of topics, including the company’s operations amid COVID-19.
Delays in payment
Akomea said the development has led to delays in paying salaries for roughly 600 of STC’s employees.
“We are in the middle of August but management have not received their salaries. Only 400 of our workers have been paid.”
Touting some of STC’s achievements under his management, Akomea said the company had been able to use its balance sheet to acquire 100 new buses.
“Now that we have secured enough buses, we need to open new terminals and restore some of the services that have been scrapped, including provision of breakfast and [other] meals,” he said.
He was hopeful that the company would soon receive subvention from the government to help turn things around.
New terminals coming
Akomea said the terminals in the Greater Accra area will make STC services more accessible to the public. Among the sites planned will be coach stops in strategic locations such as Amasaman, Madina and Kasoa.
“If you want to travel to Kumasi, you have to take a car all the way to Circle Station from your vicinity, and there [you will find] buses like VIP, VVIP and OA, all operating from that area,” he said.
The clustering of rival transport companies spurs competition but is not designed for the convenience of travellers.
The establishment of the new terminal is expected not only to give easy access to customers but also to enhance the firm’s revenue.
Fred Dzakpata
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