Accra, Sept. 14, GNA - A seven-member committee to investigate operations of Metro Mass Transit (MMT) Company was inaugurated on Monday in Accra.

The committee would review the mode of acquisition of buses for the company, assess the operational suitability of the imported Yaxing Chinese buses and review government's role in the acquisition. Mr. Mike Hammah, Minister of Transport who inaugurated the committee said members would ascertain the need for standardization of the buses for operation, assess the financial viability of the company, the ticketing system and establish whether there had been any corporate malfeasance.

He said the committee would also review the mode of acquisition of spare parts for the company and make recommendations on the operational performance of the company.

"Setting up of the committee is not borne out of any witch hunting but to ensure that the operations of the company are viable and sustainable for the benefit of the public, "he added. Mr. Hammah said the MMT and Intercity STC, leaders in the transport sector faced numerous problems such as dilapidated infrastructure, inadequate buses and equipment.

"The absence of free bus lanes, terminals, loading points and parking spaces all combine to make operations of the Metro Mass more challenging," he said.

Mr. Hammah said the committee had eight weeks to submit its findings and recommendations to the government.

Dr. Ato Quarshie, former Minster of Roads and Highways and Chairman of the Committee expressed appreciation for the trust and confidence reposed in them and pledged their commitment to work to improve operations of the company.

Other members of the committee are: Mr Lawrence Kumi, Ministry of Transport as Secretary, Mr Mike Dompreh, Ghana Institute of Engineers, Mr Ben Kul, Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority and Ms Helen Ziwu, Ministry of Justice and Attorney General's Department. The rest are; Mr Kofi Aikins, former Chairman of Ghana Private Road Transport Union and Mr Matthew Hayford, Chairman of Road Transport Co-ordinating Council.