The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for New Juaben South Municipality, Honorable Isaac Apaw-Gyasi has disclosed that the redevelopment of the Zabramma, Bodey and Yam market with relocation arrangements is currently ongoing in the municipality to help reposition assembly.
According to the MCE, Zambramma, Bodey and Yam market has been in a deplorable condition over a long period of time and it needs a massive facelift.
Hon Apaw-Gyasi said that traders would be temporarily relocated to the Agartha market, Metro Mass Station, B. Foster Bakery and the Former Physical Planning Office to enable the assembly to embark on its redevelopment plan.
He disclosed that construction of temporal sheds is currently ongoing for the relocation of the traders.
On the construction of the new market, Hon Apaw-Gyasi indicated that the market has been awarded to a contractor and divided into 3 Lots with a total cost of GH¢21,394,454.70.
During a press engagement, Hon Apaw-Gyasi explained that the Project would include the following works, paving works, construction of drains, construction of 126 lockable stores, construction of stalls and construction of health posts.
With the Zongo market, which is an existing market, Hon Apaw-Gyasi said the trading activities had been low due to the incomplete nature of the market adding that it was as a result of stray animals such as cattle, goats and sheep entering the market to eat food.
He averred that the stature of the market has discouraged most traders to trade in the market and instead preferred to squatter in the CBD for their livelihoods.
Hon Apaw-Gyasi continued that the redevelopment of the market such as the construction of additional Stores (80), stalls, walling, Security Post, Police Post, construction of a lorry station and other facilities will soon take place to make business activities more attractive and boost the municipal economy.
He affirmed that the Urban Development Grant (UDG 5), which has been earmarked for the redevelopment of the Zongo market has been awarded to the contractor with a total cost of GH¢15,018,407.17 The project which has been broken down into 4 Lots is expected to be completed within 6 months.
Hon Apaw-Gyasi revealed that measures have been taken to ensure continuous business activities by the traders hence, the temporal relocation of these traders to the Krobo Junction and after the completion of the Zongo market, all affected traders would be relocated back to the market.
The assembly has received funds under the Ghana Secondary Cities Support Programme (GSCSP) funded by the World Bank in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development.
The Urban Development Grant (UDG) is for the purposes of investment in urban infrastructure and service delivery while the Capacity Support Grant (CSG) is for institutional and capacity development initiatives.
Since its inception in 2019, the Assembly has always met the DPAT eligibility criteria to access these grants.
The Assembly applied the funds for UDG 1 in addressing the perennial flooding which destroyed lives and properties by improving the Nsukwao drainage system. UDG 2 was to improve the deplorable state of the Jackson Park which is the heart beat of social activities in the municipality. UDG 3 is the second Phase of the Jackson Park which is currently ongoing.
Meanwhile, traders at Zabramma, Bodey and Yam market Traders have expressed their grievances over a planned demolition exercise by Hon Apaw-Gyasi.
According to the aggrieved traders, the MCE has failed to fulfill his promises concerning the demolition exercise.
The traders pleaded with the Omanhene for New Juaben Traditional Area, Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III to intervene in the ongoing misunderstanding between the traders and the MCE for a peaceful atmosphere.
Daasebre Kwaku Boateng III also assured the traders to stay calm over the relocation exercise by the assembly as he promised to ensure a peaceful environment for them in the municipality.
Source:Mybrytfmonline.com/Solomon Nartey
