Makango (N/R), Jan. 26, GNA - Passengers being ferried by the Volta Lake Transport Company (VLTC) from Makango in the East Gonja District to Yeji in the Brong Ahafo Region are at risk as the only ferry on the lake is being powered by only one instead of two engines since the past three months.
The ferry carries more than 300 passengers who risk their lives on daily basis should there be any fault on the single engine. Captain William Agbenyenu of the VLTC told the Director-General of Police Operations, Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Kofi Boachie at Makango that authorities of the Company were working hard to refurbish the other engine soon to augment the only one in operation currently.
Mr Boachie who was on a two-day official tour of police units in conflict areas of the Northern Region, expressed shock at the news, saying he did not understand why it should take the VLTC so long to repair the other engine of the ferry in spite of the risk the passengers were exposed to.
He warned that the company would be held responsible should there be any disaster on the lake.
Mr Boachie also warned drivers that the police would enforce the speed limit law to reduce road accidents this year. He gave the warning following a road accident involving a Toyota pick-up belonging to the Presbyterian Church, which was travelling from Tamale to Salaga.
ACP Boachie had to release one of the vehicles accompanying him to convey injured persons to the Salaga Hospital. Nobody died in the accident.