Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Coastal Development Authority [CODA], Mr. Kingsley Karkari – Bondzie says the first phase of the Artisanal village at Mpeasem in the Cape Coast Metropolis has delayed due to reasons beyond their control.
The first phase of the project was marked to be completed by December 2020 to comprise the stabilization of the land to include cutting and filling, construction of a concrete retaining wall and boundary walls, toilet facilities and connection to water, electricity and borehole among others.
Speaking on the progress of the project on the Atlantic Wave yesterday, Mr. Kakari Bondzie said the first phase is only 55% complete.
He attributed the reason for the delay to the nature of the soil, the climate among others.
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“When the rains started, the consultant realized some technical problems…we keep cutting and filling the valley. There is a very low lying place where the stream over floods people’s home at the area. And we need to do a lot of technical things to make a place habitable. It is about the hill, the valley and the stream. These are strong issues…there was also a shrine that needed to be relocated and there are rituals that have to be performed. These are some of the few factors or challenges that we encountered in executing the project over there”.
He was however quick to add that the first phase of the project may be completed soon. According to him the contractors will be able to finish the first phase within the next three months.
He added that “that particular budget, expire at the end of this year, so give us some time to be able to firm up the foundation. If we’re able to get a solid hold on the foundation, the rest they say is ‘minced meat’”.
The Twenty (20) acre space, ear marked for the relocation of artisans and mechanics at Cape Coast Siwdu is under the 1million dollar per constituency project and Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) of the Coastal Development Authority (CODA).
Source: Aba Aikins Appah/ATLFMNEWS
