Accra, May 7, GNA- The Volta River Authority (VRA) has amicably settled the impasse between management of the Volta Lake Transport Company (VLTC) and a section of the Union over the tenure of office of the current Managing Director, which resulted in a demonstration on April 27, 2004.

Mr Bright Obeng-Boampong, Acting Director of Investment, VRA said the Authority has started the process of appointing a new managing director but between that period, there was the need for Mr F. Miezah Erzuah, the Managing Director to stay in the interest of the company and the nation.

He told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) that VLTC operations are "strategic, technical and crucial" to the national economy especially in the bulk transportation of fuel and other products to the northern parts of the country and therefore needed industrial harmony.

Mr Obeng-Boampong urged the Senior Staffs and the Union to cooperate and support Mr Erzuah to stir the affairs of the company as well as impact to other workers his rich experience during the transitional period.

The GNA reported on April 27, 2004, that the Workers Union of the VLTC in Akosombo had called on the VRA to retire Mr Erzuah, Managing Director of the Company or face workers agitation.

The workers, who embarked on a demonstration to press home their demand, said Mr Erzuah was over 60 years and due for retirement in accordance with the Public Service Regulations.

Wearing red bands on their wrists and around their necks and singing war songs amidst shouting and beating of metals, the workers presented a copy of their protest letter to the Management. Mr Obeng-Boampong said "even though Mr Erzuah is 60, the VLTC needs his services now to move forward the company's agenda of transformation and re-capitalization as well as offer the necessary tit-bits to a new manager before leaving."

Company since 1986.

The VLTC Board appointed Mr Erzuah, who was due for retirement as the Acting Managing Director for a year (2002 to 200) and upon retirement re-employed for a year, on contract basis from April 2003 to April 2004 pending the appointment of a new Managing Director.

Information gathered at the VLTC showed that Mr Erzuah was to continue at his post as the Managing Director for the first six months and then as a consultant to the new Managing Director for another six months to ensure that the new Chief Executive understood the operations of the Company.