Wa, March 5, GNA - Dr. Richard Anane, Minister for Roads and Transport, on Saturday stated that the government had given approval for the acquisition of 500 buses for the Metro Mass Transit (MMT) to be distributed to the various regions and districts by the end of the year. He said the current staff strength of 1500 people would also be doubled to provide more jobs for the people.

This was contained in a speech read on his behalf during the launching of five Metro buses in Wa, in the Upper West Region. He said the government would work on roads in the region so that the next consignment of buses to be sent to the region could be deployed in the districts to ply rural areas.

The Minister urged the drivers and conductors to be extra careful and polite to passengers to promote cordial relations with the public. He advised the conductors against fraud and urged passengers to be vigilant to check cheating through the issuing of tickets. Mr. Ambrose Dery, Upper West Regional Minister, urged school children who would enjoy the service free of charge not to abuse the facility.

He said the buses would not only facilitate movement, but also reduce the financial burden of the people.

Mr. Cas Van Eerden, Managing Director of MMT, said the management would work hard to make the company the best in the transport sector. He said the management was instilling discipline among the workers to get rid of the bad nuts within their ranks to maximize profit. The Regional Minister, the Managing Director and other officials later went on a drive through the principal streets of Wa to announce the commencement of the service in the Municipality.