The Cape Coast Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), George Justice Arthur has pledged to address concerns about market store allocation at Kotokuraba, adding that plans are underway to commence the second phase of the market’s construction.
The New MCE of Cape Coast addressed these concerns in an exclusive interview with ATLFMNEWS as he outlined his approach to resolving past disputes and expanding market capacity.
Responding to concerns about some past incidents of alleged unfair store allocation at Kotokuraba, where some traders reportedly lost their spaces, Mr. Arthur said he would ensure fair treatment for all.
However, Mr. George Justice Arthur emphasized that existing traders would not be forcibly moved out emphasizing his administration would focus on completing Phase Two of the market to accommodate more traders.
He noted that “When President John Dramani Mahama came to Cape Coast during his campaign, he made mention of the fact that there’s going to be the phase two of Kotokuraba market that is going to be established. We cannot say that people who have already taken the position in the market would actually be sacked from the market. No, I don’t think it’s going to be healthy.”
“We shall maintain them, and make sure we complete the phase two of the market so that those people who were denied would also have access to sell in the market,” he added.
Meanwhile, Mr. Arthur mentioned an ongoing investigation into individuals who have illegally acquired multiple shops at the Kotokuraba and subletting them for profit.
He expressed interest in this matter and said “that is what I’m going to investigate into and make sure if there’s any thing of this nature, we take some from them and let everyone have one store.”
The MCE also shared details about the Phase Two of the market construction, revealing that the project had been delayed due to a significant loan repayment lapse by the previous NPP administration.
According to him, the phase two, which was part of the original plan of the Kotokuraba market was built with Chinese loan and the previous NPP government was to use the revenue generated from the market to defray the loan to the Chinese creditors.
However, he said “they did not pay dime” but was quick to add that “We are going to make sure that any money we get from the market, we start paying off the loan and we will do that continuously for the next six months so that we can go ahead with the next agreement to build the phase two.”
Mr. George Justice Arthur further spoke on the siting of the phase two of the Kotokuraba market expansion, explaining it will involve the removal of existing temporary structures currently located on the designated site.
“There is a place for us to build the phase two. There is this temporal structure that was built up in the market and where the temporal structures are, will be removed to make sure the phase two of the market is also built there for us to accomplish our task.
“The assembly will do that through the members of parliament with the ministry of finance and the government of Ghana and that will be done in no time.”
Addressing the issue of Traders setting up temporary structures on the roadside, leading to traffic problems, Mr. George Justice Arthur emphasized he won’t wait for phase two of the market construction to address the issue.
He stated that the first step would be to inform the traders about the potential dangers of their current location, after which a suitable alternative space would be provided for their relocation.
“I mean all these things will be taken into consideration as a priority so that our road will be cleared to avoid any unforeseen problems that might come upon them. So that will be done. We are not waiting for the phase two to be good before we do that.”
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Source: Aba Aikins/ATLFMNEWS
