Mr Simon Osei Mensah, the Ashanti Regional Minister has admitted that, congestion in the region’s capital, Kumasi cannot be solved until the Phase 2 of Kejetia project is completed.
According to him, he is aware of the situation however, nothing can be done about it as of now.
“I am aware of congestion in the Kumasi Metropolis as a result of traders doing business on pavements and the principal streets of the city but the major problem is inefficient market centers or spaces for traders”. The minister said in an exclusive interview of Oyerepa Breakfast Time, Friday chaired by Akua Asieduwaa.
Mr Osei Mensah said, in previous years, the city’s security guards were driving away street vendors yet, the problem persisted so he realized that until the Kejetia market Phase 2 project is completed, driving them away would not be an option.
“Those days, I used to order security guards to drive cars and street vendors but I later realized I can worry myself a million times but it won’t work because they’ve to eat…I realized again that until we complete the 2nd Phase of Kejetia market redeveloping project , we can’t drive people from selling on pavements.”
The Ashanti regional minister revealed on the show again that, the first floor of the Kejetia market phase 2 is wholly going to be made a lorry terminal. Its second floor will be made a traditional market where table tops are going to be structured for traders who sell tomatoes, onions, yam among others.
“In Kumasi, people don’t sell tomatoes, yam, onion, garden eggs etc in stalls or shops. We’re going to make more table tops to roll out those sellers in the 2nd floor of Kejetia Phase 2.”
He stated accepted that the project if completed will not entirely solve Kumasi’s congestion however it will minimize it.
“When we finish up with Kejetia phase 2 project, it won’t solve the congestion in Kumasi, it will minimize it, but now we have to manage the problem.”
The minister further disclosed that, authorities of the city are looking for spaces at the race course market to move in some traders.
“We are looking for more spaces at Race course to drive hawkers around zoo to the market; we’re looking for spaces to drive them away.”
“We can’t get a perfect place for all traders therefore let’s all suffer the consequence until we complete the Kejetia phase 2 project.” Osei Mensah entreated.
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Source: Oyerepafmonline.com/Joseph Marfo
