STC Boss Booted Out Finally

Evasive former Managing Director� (MD) of the Intercity STC Coaches Limited, Charles Thompson, who had notoriously refused to leave office and drawing monthly salaries, board allowances and other benefits, despite being relieved of his position, was finally booted out last Tuesday. Mr. Thompson�s removal, took place at Transport by the Sector Minister, Mrs. Dzifa Aku Attivor, after an inauguration of a new board and induction of new MD, Samuel Nuamah Donkor to rescue the ailing company from dying. The embattled former STC boss, however, did not exit without an issue. He is reported to have taken home an official Nissan car with registration number GT 650 W, belonging to the company. Workers have threatened to do everything possible to have the vehicle retrieved by the new Board and Management. The Board which is made up of seven members, is chaired by Patrick Vanderpuye, including two representatives from Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), Danny D Nyantakyi and Sampson N Gyamera. Other members of the Board include, Martha A. Wudu, Sampson A. Nortey, Mr. Lawrence Kuni and the Managing Director. The assumption of office by the new Managing Director, Mr. Nuamah Donkor, has cut short the tenure of office of the Head of Finance and Administration, Veronica Turckson as the Acting Managing Director, who was appointed by the embattled ex-MD. The Minister�s prudent decision to inaugurate the new Board, averted the heightened tension and anger of the workers over the former Managing Director�s refusal to quit office. Mrs. Attivor, who was not happy about the present condition of STC, challenged the re-constituted board to bring some innovations to revive the company to its past glory. She said, �As a new Board, the challenge is placed on your shoulders to ensure that the company is revived to the level of winning back its share of the market and taking its place as the market leader�. The Minister of Transport recalled instances where the STC used to be the flagship of road passenger transport in the country with its enviable safety record, which served as the standard for other transport operators. �It is sad, that the once vibrant company, currently has only few operational buses, and has lost a chunk of its market share to the private sector, despite efforts by the previous boards and management to do better�, she said. Mrs. Attivor charged the new board to come out with measures to acquire new buses for the company, in addition to improving its infrastructure and human capital. She also appealed to the Board to adopt modern technology to improve upon its revenue generation, reduce associated revenue leakages and also revamp its workshops country-wide, in order to give the company a new of life. Mr. Patrick Vanderpuye, Chairman of the Board, pledged the readiness of the Board to work to revamp the limping State Transport Company. He asked workers to remain calm, adding that all their grievances will be looked into and be dealt with accordingly. About financial malfeasance, dubious contracts among others, which were extensively reported in the media, Mr. Vanderpuye told The Herald that although the board will not focus much attention on it, his administration will certainly reopened fresh investigation to handle them. The new Board Chairman and the Managing Director, Nuamah Donkor, later told this reporter in an exclusive interview that some of the issues raised in the report, which borders on criminality, would not be swept under the carpet. He stated that nobody is above the law, and, therefore, those found culpable after the probe, would face the law.