Deputy Minister of Local Government, Decentralization, and Rural Development, Augustine Collins Ntim, has expressed satisfaction with the level of work completed in Phase two of the Kejetia Market redevelopment project.
Despite the initial difficulties in relocating the dealers, Mr. Ntim says the project has substantially improved after 10 months of effort.
“I must say that, after 10 months of work, I’m so much happy with the level of development that has gone on. Given the explanations in relation to the work plan, the schedules handed over to me and per the discussions with the consultant, I don’t have any doubt in my mind that they are going to complete and hand over the project to the KMA as per the dictates of the work plan,” he stated.
Mr. Ntim also stated that the majority of the logistics required to complete the project have been made accessible, stating that they are either in Ghana or on their way to Ghana.
The Offinso North MP was especially pleased with the amount of collaboration between the Regional Minister and the Metropolitan Chief Executive in guaranteeing the edifice’s smooth progress.
“I’m also happy the way the Regional Coordination Council led by the Regional Minister is collaborating effectively with the Metro Chief Executive and all the key staffs to be able to ensure that there’s no challenge. There’s no impediment in as far as the delivery from the contractor in terms of resource allocation, in terms of the process and documentations and all that. They’re able to carry out expeditiously such that it doesn’t present any obstacle to the progress of work, and as you can see, they’re working day and night and it gives me hope that they will be able to complete and handover the project to KMA on scheduled,” he indicated.
The Deputy Local Government Minister further stated that, given Kumasi’s strategic location, the edifice will benefit economic activity in the region and beyond, as well as generate several job possibilities for the people.
“Kumasi is so strategically located, and Kumasi Central market is the hub of Ashanti Region of course by extension Ghana because almost all the regions, (the market) is like the nodal point of Kumasi, the nodal center of economic activities in Ashanti Region and for that of Ghana. And having this edifice expanded to the extent that it’s going to bring on board additional 10 thousand stores and spaces and all that, in terms of the roads, it’s going to enhance the local economic activities,” Mr. Ntim said.
According to Kumasi Metropolitan Chief Executive Samuel Pyne, the project will not only serve to promote commercial operations in the region but will also help to decongest the metropolis.
He stated that the project’s structure, particularly the ground floor, will act as a terminus for both private and public transportation, absorbing numerous vehicles from the streets.
“Apart from boosting the local economic development, is also going to help immensely in decongesting the city of hawkers and all that and the traffic situation, because per the arrangements, the ground floor of the facility is going to be as a terminal for both private and commercial and that’s going to take lots of the vehicles from the streets. And also the first floor is going to be for traditional market, the tabletops and the rest, so that’s going to take about 3,000 plus traders also off the streets and the Central Market and the rest of the two floors will be lockable shops and other facilities, so it’s going to be of immense benefit to Kumasi,” Samuel Pyne stated.
