The contractor working on the second stage of the Kumasi Kejetia Market project has assured that steps are being taken to avoid any future flooding at the yet to be constructed market project.
However, this would require that the remaining 20 percent of the project land which is currently occupied by some traders is freed to enable them to have a comprehensive view, of the area.
This would allow them to come out with the “right geo-studies to be able to construct the best type of drains for the project,” according to the Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, Mr. Augustine Collins Ntim.
This follows the recent occurrence, on June 24, 2021, at the newly redeveloped Kejetia Market, where the facility was flooded after a torrential three-hour downpour. The flooding was later attributed to some tree logs which blocked major drainage of the market.
But to relocate the remaining traders for the work to progress, the Deputy Minister said the Ashanti Regional Minister, Kumasi Mayor and all the key stakeholders have met to determine the timelines for the relocation.
This, he said is favorable while expressing satisfaction with the progress of work, as he inspected the ongoing works together with some officials of the construction firm, Contracta.
The project which was initially expected to be completed by November 2024, however, is anticipated to be completed some six months ahead of the original timeline, by the government.
But the construction firm is confident that barring all the current challenges this could be achieved, Mr. Collins Ntim stated.
He observed that the number of shops that will be provided after the construction is more than enough to accompany the traders who initially occupied the Central Market.
“We need the support of everyone and I’m very happy Otumfuo is already committed,” while adding that the Sector Minister, Mr. Dan Botwe, is also fully committed to providing all the necessary support.
The construction of the Kumasi Central Market project, which marks phase two of the Kejetia Redevelopment Project begun in 2014, is costed at €248 million
The project, initially scheduled to be completed in 48 months is being done by Messers Contracta Construction Limited, UK.
It is financed by a German bank with export credit guarantee from the United Kingdom Export Finance (UKEF).
The project, on completion, will have 6,500 leasable commercial spaces, 5,400 closed stores, 50 restaurants, 800 kiosks, 210 fishmonger and butcher stores, 40 livestock and 1,800 square kilometers of community facilities.
It will also feature other essential facilities such as a waste treatment plant, police and fire stations, post offices and an amphitheatre.
The provision of this new infrastructure with its state-of-the-art facilities is hoped to address and mitigate the underlying fire outbreaks by ensuring the safety and security of traders and consumers as well as the comfort of trading.
The Community Liaison Officer of Contracta, Mr. Emmanuel Danso, speaking in an interview at the sidelines of the visit by the Deputy Minister, observed that if their request to have possession of the remaining 20 per cent of the project site is met, they will be able to meet the requested project completion date.
He said all things being equal if the company is supported as promised they would be able to deliver on the new deadline.
The Deputy Minister for Local Government and his team interacting with officials of Contracta at the project site, during the inspection.
