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An aerial view of the Kejetia Market
An aerial view of the Kejetia Market

‘Don’t politicise Kejetia, Central Market Re-development Projects’

Residents in the Kumasi Metropolis have been advised to refrain from politicising the Kejetia and Central Market Re-development Projects, particularly in relation to the re-settlement of traders.

Nana Agyenim Boateng, Amoamanhene, who is also Chairman of the Kejetia Validation and Verification Oversight Committee, said the project was being executed in the best interest of all and sundry.

“We are not happy with the way some politicians want to play politics with the project which is very sensitive to the people,” he told the media in Kumasi, stressing that the committee was on course to ensuring that road map for traders’ re-settlement was duly followed.

“I can confidently say that the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is keen in ensuring that the right thing is done for the benefit of traders.

“It is for this reason that he had been seen involved in every aspect of the implementation and completion of the project,” Nana Boateng explained.

Reaction to NDC

He was reacting to a threat by the Ashanti Regional branch of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) to embark on a demonstration if traders who were affected by the project were not re-settled by the end of January, this year.

The party claimed that they had information to the effect that the first phase of the project was officially completed, and that the managers were intentionally delaying re-settlement of traders to shops in the facility.

Work on the first phase of the multi-million-dollar project commenced in 2015, and was supposed to have been completed in January, 2019, however, that could not be realised due to legal issues.

Nana Boateng said the oversight committee had done a lot of validation and verification processes, saying all things being equal, traders would soon be re-settled.

“We are working around the clock to see the validated traders being moved to the completed shops by March, this year.

The committee is ,therefore, being meticulous in dealing with all outstanding issues to ensure a smooth re-settlement programme devoid of any misunderstanding on the part of traders,” the chairman asserted.

He pointed out that plans were in place to issue E-zwich cards to shop owners to pay their rental charges in order to help them have access to the facility, adding that this was being done in connection with some selected banks. — GNA

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