[ 2017-10-11 ]

Workers on the Kejetia market project to lay down tools following threats
Construction work on the Kumasi Kejetia Central
Market Redevelopment Project could be heading for
delays over a litigation between a private
developer and project contractors.

The Brazilian firm, Contracta Engineering, says
its work is being interrupted by a private
developer whose structure interferes with
re-engineered road and drainage systems.

Officials say the lives of workers are under
persistent threat as a result.


Phase One of the $260 million project for
construction of over 10, 000 stores and the
reconstruction of the Kejetia Terminal had been
scheduled to be completed in January next year.

There are, however, fears the deadline could be
missed due to a dispute over a parcel of land
earmarked for construction of utility
installations.

On February 17, this year, a Kumasi High Court
ordered the contractor to stop work within 60
meters from a private property being build by All
State Construction.

Consequently, part of the already constructed New
Kejetia Market would have to be demolished, if the
court ruling is upheld.

The private developer has put up a storey building
a few metres to one of the entrances of the new
Kejetia Market.

It has blocked drainage system and the road
network, a situation Contracta officials say can
open the new market up to perennial flooding.

City authorities accuse the private developer
of obtaining what they describe as a fictitious
permit.

Though a 24-hour demolition notice contained in a
letter dated September 20, 2017, has elapsed, the
private developer remains adamant.

Unidentified persons are said to have fired
warning shots last week when city authorities
attempted to demolish the structure.

Emmanuel Danso, a Consultant at Contracta
Engineering Limited, said:  "It's true because 
as part of the  developments that is ongoing at
Kejetia,  we have series of these threats from
All State Construction Company Managing Director
because the development that is ongoing now is not
helping the project at all.
 
"There have been so many interventions or
blockages that he has been doing now.

He has put up a new structure and that structure
is not helping because before the project start,
it was not there but now he has developed it and
now we need to do so many alignments which will
not help the project in anyway.

As a matter of fact, we've stopped working on the
area," he elaborated.
Waste, electrical, gas, water and ventilation
systems, among others, cannot be installed.

Officials of Avangarde Design Services,
consultants for the project declined to comment
because KMA has not granted them the permission to
speak to the media.

However, a letter dated September 18, 2017, signed
by the Resident Engineer and addressed to city
mayor warns of dire consequences if the fight with
the private developer is not won.

It cites ineffective drainage system, restriction
of pedestrian access, difficulty in fire
evacuation and perennial flooding as potential
risks.

Mr. Danso says workers have since been working in
fear.

"First, we were having a fence...but we realised
that he [private developer] removed the fence and
then started developing the place. And later we
also got information from our security officers
that there were gunshots during the night when KMA
wanted to do their own investigations or wanted to
do demolition and other stuff.

"And the other day too we realised that KMA Market
Conveners from the assembly paid a visit there and
then that also brought a lot of fight between his
workers and the assembly members," he explained.

Members of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly have
tasked the Mayor, Osei Assibey-Antwi, to act
decisively to address the issue.

Presiding Member, Abraham Boadi, who confirmed the
firing of gunshots says the private developer
worked on the project mostly in the night.

"He did most of the project in the night so before
we realized, the project was at even the second
floor. So we decided to pull it down and that
night if you are aware or if you have heard, the
man [ the shooter] was at the top. I mean he tried
someone to shoot the people who were coming to do
the demolition.

Yeah, he fired gunshots about 6  or 7," Mr. Boadi
explained.
He also suspects powerful unnamed persons are
backing the developer.

"That is Kumasi for you. Somebody hiding somewhere
pushing somebody to do a lot of things. And when
you are not careful, then you have a problem with
some traditional authorities or political leaders
and even religious leaders," he said.

The city mayor, Osei Assibey Antwi, told Kumasi
Traditional Council lawyers that KMA will meet the
private developer this week.

Attempts to reach the private developer have been
unsuccessful as several phone calls and text
messages to establish contact remain have not been
answered.

Back to the streets of Kumasi, residents,
especially motorists continue to compete with
pedestrians as well as traders for space.

Traffic in the Central Business District has
become unbearable.

Some commercial drivers who spoke with JoyNews
hope the traffic situation will improve once the
new Kejetia Market is completed.

Source - Ghana I Nhyira FM

... go Back