Garages cannot re-locate now

Sekondi, July 21, GNA- The decision of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) to re-locate artisans from the city centre has still not taken off.

This is because the Garages Association, which is leading in the acquisition of land for its members, has not been able to pay the cost of the land situated at Kansaworodu, a suburb of Takoradi. Speaking to the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in an interview at Sekondi on Monday, Mr. John Laste, Public Relations Officer of the Assembly said the aim of the exercise was to minimise pollution in the city centre and on ceremonial streets.

He said the Assembly was playing a facilitating role to ensure that the Union assisted its members to re-locate. Mr. Laste said the Assembly will give the artisans some time to adequately prepare and re-locate.

He said the Assembly would ensure that standard structures were designed for all the artisans to ensure uniformity. Mr. Laste however stressed that each artisan would construct their own structures while the Assembly would ensure that the necessary social amenities were provided.

He said after the necessary grounds work have been completed, the Assembly would give all the artisans a deadline for relocation, but those who fail would be prosecuted.

Mr. Jonathan Arhin, Sekondi Zonal Chairman of the Garages Association noted that the Association had not been able to pay for the full cost of the land and therefore nothing serious had been done at the site. He however assured the Assembly that by March 2009, the re-location exercise would begin. 22 July 08