The Metro Chief Executive for the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis, Mr Abdul Mumin Issah has reiterated that the Assembly cannot eject the traders at the Takoradi Market Circle without getting ready the new place which has been alloted to contain them to pave way for the commencement of the redevelopment of the Market.
He said, though the market women were met and told to be ready for the relocation to the new site on the 15th of October, the Assembly will make sure that the new place is viable for business before relocating them.
It would be recalled that the Mayor appearing on Spice Fm’s morning show, “Adzekyee Mu Nsem” gave the assurance that work was ongoing at a fast pace to get ready for the new site expected to host the traders at the Takoradi Market Circle.
Mr Issah speaking on “Adzekyee Mu Nsem” on the latest development on the relocation, explained that work is steadily ongoing at the site to make it ready but had some few challenges which delayed the work but have now been resolved.
Though he could not give any timeline for the completion of the place, he pleaded with the traders and the residents of the metropolis to give them some time while they put the place in shape.
He disclosed that a delegation comprising the traders and other stakeholders of the Market went to understudy the Kumasi Market to have a first hand information on how things were done in the market so as to draw their lessons when the redevelopment of the Market Project is completed.
According to the Mayor, facilities like the Fire Service, the Police Station and the Adu Mante Health Post would be relocated as well.
However, Spice News findings Market reveal that the market women are still at the market without knowledge of what the next action would be.
In an interview with some of the market women, they said that they were yet to hear from the City Authority on the next step of action since the date was due and the place not ready yet.
One of the traders who gave her name as Maame Ama urged the Assembly to exercise restraint and do a proper job at the site before moving them and expressed the optimism that the site could be ready by the end of October or the year.
Meanwhile, a visit to the site indicates that work is briskly ongoing with several workers on site with all the various sub-contractors like carpenters, masons, etc being at post while they are putting wooden structures on the buildings to make it 1-storey.
About 6 of the storeys are left with doors to be fixed on them and can be ready in two days whereas one part of the site can be completed in two days but will be left with the floor works.
Spice News can confidently say that it will take about a month or more to make the new place ready for use.
Story: Seth Ameyaw danquah
