Hawkers cause nuisance at kejetia

SCORES OF hawkers have invaded the Kejetia Bus Terminal in Kumasi and are causing myriad problems to the contractors that are reconstructing the terminal into a modern edifice.

Even though the entire area has been properly cordoned off to pave way for the construction works to go ahead, some hawkers have positioned themselves just behind the barrier and are transacting business.

The presence of the numerous hawkers is said to be impeding the free movement of heavy trucks operating at the project site. And health experts claim that it also causes health and safety problems for them (hawkers) and the over 400 workers on site.

Mr. Tony Yeboah-Asare of Avangarde Design Services, who is the Project Management Consultant, expressed concern about the development, and has asked the authorities concerned to drive away the hawkers.

He also complained bitterly about the existence of some old buildings at Kejetia – from the Zoo area – that were left untouched, noting that they are shielding the beauty of the terminal under construction.

Mr. Yeboah-Asare appealed to people in authority to as a matter of urgency, negotiate with the owners of those buildings so that an agreement could be reached for their demolition to accelerate the construction pace of the Kejetia project.

He made these observations when the Ashanti Regional Minister, John Alexander Ackon, accompanied by Kojo Bonsu, the Kumasi Mayor and other top officials in the region visited Kejetia on Thursday to inspect the progress of work.

On his part, Mr. Alexander Ackon urged the consultant and the contractors to officially brief him (minister) on paper about the technical problems that those old buildings pose to the edifice being built for the appropriate action to be taken.

The regional minister, who was visiting the project site for the first time, stated that he was highly impressed about the level of work done so far, assuring that the government was committed in completing the project as planned.

Kojo Bonsu, in his succinct remarks, said parts of the facility would be completed latest by October this year for use by traders, stressing that he was highly elated that the work was going on smoothly.

Carlos Gala, Project Manager for Contracta, a Brazilian firm handling the project, disclosed that about 400 workers, including 340 Ghanaians, are engaged in constructing the facility, and disclosed that the first phase was expected to be completed on January 2018.