Struggling Neoplan to be absorbed into 1D1F initiative – Akufo-Addo

The President of the Republic, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, says Government has taken the choice to soak up Neoplan Ghan Ltd into its flagship 1-District-1-Factory initiative, with a purpose to assist resuscitate the corporate, which has been on the decline for a while.

This follows a request made to the President by the Member of Parliament for Bantama, Hon. Francis Asenso Boakye, and the Managing Director of Neoplan Ghana, Mr Georges Nassar, for an intervention by Government to save lots of the corporate from imminent collapse.

Neoplan (Ghana) Ltd was established in 1974 below the Kutu Acheampong Regime, as a joint-venture firm between the Government of Ghana and Gottlob Auwarter GmbH to supply buses for Ghana’s public transport fleet. Indeed, the corporate turned the primary bus manufacturing plant in West Africa.

It will probably be recalled that on the idea of workplace of the NPP Government in 2001, Neoplan Ghana was contracted to construct 450 buses for the Metro Mass Transport fleet. This contract was for a interval of 8 years, ending in July 2010.

Since then, the corporate has not been in a position to safe any such Government contract, and, with the shortcoming of the corporate to safe orders from the non-public sector, its operations have been restricted to bus restore and upkeep companies, which have led to recurring losses

Visiting the premises of the corporate on Monday, 4th October 2021, on the ultimate day of his 4-day tour of the corporate, the President famous that it was below the Government of John Agyekum Kufuor, in 2001, that the corporate’s fortunes was revived, and similar will probably be performed below his administration.

Responding to a direct request from the Managing Director of Neoplan for the Metro Mass Transit Ltd to put its orders for the availability of buses with Neoplan, President Akufo-Addo indicated that “we are going to make sure that that order is brought very soon.”

On his half, the Minister for Trade and Industry, Hon. Alan Kyerematen, acknowledged that Neoplan has been a family title for the reason that 70s, and, simply as former President Kufuor did to make sure the revival of the corporate, President Akufo-Addo will do similar.

He confused that the agenda that has been pursued by President Akfo-Addo since he got here into workplace in 2017 has been to maneuver Ghana away from being a mere producer and exporter of uncooked supplies to a valud-added, industrialised economic system, which is the surest means of making the required numbers of jobs for the plenty.

Neoplan, in line with the Minister for Trade and Industry, was answerable for the manufacturing and distribution of 450 buses to be used by the Metro Mass Transit, a few of that are nonetheless very a lot in use.

“The President has heard you clearly. All you want is that what Kufuor did, President Akufo-Addo should do the same for you… If Ghana has the money to import buses, which in turns creates jobs for foreigners, why don’t we use the same money to import to recapitalise Neoplan? This is what the President is going to do for you. There are good times ahead of Neoplan. Neoplan shall rise again,” Alan Kyerematen added.

Reconstruction of Anwiankwanta-Obuasi Road
President Akufo-Addo additionally inspected ongoing work on the development of the 30-kilometre Anwiankwanta – Obuasi Road, which has been awarded to Messrs Joshob Construction Company Limited, at a contract value of GH¢321,999,853.71.

The undertaking is predicted to be accomplished inside 48 calendar months, ending on 18th December, 2023, and it’s being financed by means of the Consolidated Fund of the Government of Ghana.

The rehabilitation works includes website clearance and demolition, provision of roadside drains to impact correct drainage of street to make sure pavement longevity, sectional floor enchancment with boulders, provision of asphalt concrete surfacing and provision of roadline markings and street indicators to boost security of street customers.

Currently, the progress of works stands at 82% completion, and, when accomplished, the street will improve socio-economic actions within the space, and facilitate the environment friendly motion of individuals and items to cities reminiscent of Anwiankwanta, Daa, Patasi, Kwapia, Dadwen, Obuasi and the encircling communities.

The improved situation of the street will promote agricultural actions, commerce and guarantee environment friendly supply of companies in Bekwai Municipal and Obuasi Municipality and their contiguous districts.