Shippers of Cargo through the Paga border in the Upper East Region to Sahelian countries can now heave a sigh of relief following the construction of a transit truck park.
The 30,000 square meter facility built at a cost of GH¢18 million will address critical challenges affecting shippers and drivers who ply the Paga route by facilitating smooth flow of cargo to landlocked countries.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Paga transit truck park in Paga, Minister of Transport, Kwaku Ofori Asiamah, said, the facility will promote Ghana’s international trade and attract businesses to the country.
“The park until its construction was not the best parking point for trucks. Several challenges faced by transit truck drivers on the corridor tended to make our transit corridor unattractive. The construction of this transit park will serve our cherished transit traders in our landlocked countries and will also serve as a decent rest stop for transit drivers.”
“I am of the firm belief that this facility will not only help in facilitating transit trade along Ghana’s corridor but will also ensure that we attract other businesses to the country”.
Mr. Asiamah reiterated government’s commitment through interventions that have yielded value for money for shippers by minimizing inconveniences, reducing delays and improving efficiency.
“Government has continued to invest in ports infrastructure and cutting edge technology to modernize and make Ghana ports and transit corridor the preferred choice within the subregion.”
This massive expansion of the country’s ports and other infrastructure investments coupled with other soft interventions such as the paperless system and the Integrated custom management systems are not only intended to modernize the ports and increase efficiency but also enhance competitiveness, improve shipping services and facilitate international trade”.
He further charged the Kassena-Nankana West Assembly to ensure that all transit trucks plying the corridor to landlocked countries park at the transit truck park instead of fuel stations along the border.
Mr. Asiamah, admonished managers of the facility to ensure routine maintenance of the facility to serve its purpose.
Some drivers of transit trucks at Paga told Citi News, the facility will assuage their plight, but appealed for a review of GPHA charges on trucks per day at the facility.
