The deputy Minister for Works and Housing and MP for Cape Coast North, Babara Asher Ayisi has cut sod for work to commence at the Artisanal Village at Mpeasem in Cape Coast.
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).
Speaking at the ceremony on Wednesday, CEO of CODA, Jerry Ahmed Shaib said the first phase of the project marked to be completed within a year will be fast forwarded to be completed by December 2020.
He said the project would be constructed by PAKAY Construction Limited at a cost of 7.2 million Cedis.
The composition of the first phase of the project will include; stabilization of the land to include cutting and filling, construction of a concrete returning wall and boundary walls, toilet facilities and connection to water, electricity and borehole. It will also include a base for sprayers, welders, spare part dealers, upholstery workers, auto mechanics, auto engineers, electric engineers and electricians. The base will also house blacksmiths, brick liners, air condition and radiator liners.
Jerry Ahmed Shaib added that other parts of the Cape Coast North Constituency have also been ear marked for projects. Therefore, he said, the fund allocated to the Cape Coast North is “about 12 million instead of the one million dollar per constituency”.
“The 12 million is because of the other projects in Cape Coast North. These include; construction of one normal chips compound at Brabedze, one normal 20-seater disability friendly WC toilet facility and one normal 10-seater WC facility at Kokoado.
Others he said include construction of 40-seater open market stores, storeroom and external works at Amamoma and Apeiwosika.
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On her part, the honourable Member of Parliament for Cape Coast North, Babara Asher Ayisi said the project had come in timely to fulfill her promise to develop the Cape Coast North township and its citizens.
She expressed joy over the employment the project will create for the citizens as contractors have been directed to employ natives.
For more than ten years, the relocation of artisans and mechanics from their current point of operation at Siwdu to the artisanal village at Mpeasem has been dragged.
Leadership of the artisans has on numerous occasions objected to the relocation owing to the inhabitable nature of the village in its current state.
The MCE for Cape Coast and NPP Parliamentary candidate for Cape Coast South, Mr. Ernest Arthur who spoke to ATLFMNEWS expressed fulfillment at the event leading to the sod cutting. He called on the artisans to be ready to move to the site after its completion.
Also, Chairman of the Mechanics, Patrick King Kodwo Aidoo Donkoh who expressed appreciation to the authorities also called on them to ensure the timely completion of the project and appealed for an extension of the land to accommodate all artisans.
Present at the ceremony were Nananom of the Oguaa traditional area, officials from the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry and leading members of the NPP.
Aba Aikins Appah/ATLFMNEWS
