Former Managing Director of Metro Mass Transit Limited (MMTL), Albert Adu-Boahen, has expressed surprise that a container of spare parts supplied by Dutch firm VDL remains uncleared at the port more than a year after his exit from office.
His comments come in response to media reports suggesting that the container, which has reportedly been at the port for close to two years, has compounded Metro Mass Transit’s operational and financial challenges.
The current Managing Director, Kale Cesar, is said to have indicated that steps are being taken to secure the container’s release.
Mr Adu-Boahen said that at the time he was leaving office, the delay in clearing the container was mainly due to high shipping line charges, an issue he noted was already under active engagement.
He explained that management had successfully cleared about 30 buses and several other containers, leaving only one outstanding.
“At the time I was leaving office, the only issue that was keeping the container locked up at the port was the shipping line charges. This fleet came in April 2024. By the time we completed the necessary documentation, it had stayed at the port for some time, and the shipping line charges had risen to about $350,000, which we were expected to pay to clear the container,” he explained.
According to him, the amount being demanded was contested, prompting management to formally involve the Ministry of Transport to help negotiate a reduction.
“At the time, I was challenging the amount the shipping line was charging, so I petitioned the Transport Ministry to engage the shipping line to reduce the fee. We were at the tail end of the clearance process.
“We had cleared the buses—about 30 of them—and also cleared four other containers. It was only one container left. So after one year, I am surprised it has not been cleared,” he said.
