Mr Abdul Mumin-Issah, Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) in the Western Region has emphasized that plans are afoot to close down the Takoradi Market Circle on Monday, May 3, to pave way for the commencement of the redevelopment of the market
Against this backdrop, the traders have been given up to Sunday, May 2 to relocate to the new place which is almost completed and already furnished with water storage, urinal and toilet facility, fire post to house the Fire Service, police post, waste management and sanitary services, revenue service and administration, and street lights to provide security.
Briefing stakeholders at a meeting in Takoradi about the progress of work at the temporary site, the Mayor assured the traders of an improved and efficient security system such as street lighting and security personnel and called for their maximum cooperation for Monday’s closure.
Mr Mumin-Issah pointed out that even though the traders have pleaded for extension of the deadline, the Assembly could not allow it due to the fact that the 22nd February given to the contractor working on the redevelopment of the market was long over and incurring cost on the contractor.
He also made it clear that traders who sell at the outskirts of the market circle and those at the median of the road will not be allowed to sell if they fail to join the temporary place.
Mr William Tei Kpoti, Metro Works Engineer at the STMA announced that the temporary place which has been alloted to contain the traders at the Takoradi Market Circle was substantially completed with work about 75 percent complete and expected to be fully completed soon.
He explained that the project which started on September 15 was initially expected to be completed by February 2021 but due to some few challenges, work was delayed going beyond the expected time.
Giving the scope of work at the site, he mentioned the land size of the site as 8.7 acres (30,940 sq km) to accommodate about 2000 traders and comprise all kinds of traders at the Market Circle.
He thanked the traders for their cooperation and support throughout the processes and added that the site shall be filled with chipping stones whereas canopies shall be provided for traders within the inner perimeters.
Staff of the Works Department together with staff of the Contracta Construction Company in charge of the Takoradi Market Circle Redevelopment Project, representatives of the store operators and butchers as well as the Market Queens toured the market circle to sensitize the traders and respond to all questions on closure and the relocation.
