Work on the reconstruction of two major markets in the Shai Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region has commenced.
The GH¢4.6 million project is expected to provide the Dodowa and Asutuare markets with 40 lockable stalls, 40 open sheds and a creche under the first and second phase respectively
The project being executed by the Coastal Development Authority (CODA) under the One Million Dollar per constituency government programme, is expected to be completed in six months, starting from June, 2020 to boost the socio-economic well-being of the district.
Even though the area is noted for cultivation of rice, mango, maize, cassava and vegetable, among others, it however, has little boast for it following lack of a dignified market; places of convenience, stores to house produce of traders, modern car parks and proper sheds to protect the traders from the vagaries of the weather.
The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Ishmael Ashitey, who performed the sod-cutting ceremony, commended CODA for supporting the assembly to undertake the project. According to him, the move was an indication of government’s commitment in transforming the lives of the people through the provision of infrastructural projects.
The structures housing the previous markets, he explained, have become outmoded and do not provide any protective cover for the traders, hence the need to transform and deal with the proliferation of hawkers and unsightly littering of kiosks and containers in the cities and towns.
The Minister said the provision of basic fundamental services to stimulate economic growth would improve the quality of life of the people, meanwhile, he urged the people to jealously guard the project to enable the contractor to ensure early completion.
Mr. Ashitey charged the assembly to effectively supervise the contractor to ensure he adhere strictly to the health and safety protocols of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), stressing that the workers need to wear their face masks and other personal protective equipment to safeguard themselves and the entire community against the spread of the virus.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of CODA, Jerry Ahmed Shaib, who also presented over 4,000 nose masks for the various social and religious groups in the beneficiary communities, said the facilities would transform the socio-economic lives of the people.
Regarding local content recruitment, Mr. Ahmed charged the contractor to employ the labour force from the area, and also urged the people to offer the contractor the needed support to ensure the project was completed on schedule.
He said credit union is due to be launched to facilitate business expansion and social well-being of market women and farmers in the area.
Construction of a creche within the market is expected to provide convenience to child bearing market women.
The chairman of the occasion, Okukurubour Tei-Kwesi Agyeman V, urged the people to report any malfeasance as well as unproductive attitude of the contractor to the traditional authorities, and advised recruits from the area as artisans to obey simple instructions towards ensuring peace and harmony at the construction site.
He threw a word of caution to any existing saboteurs who, characteristically would want to oppose the project and that authorities would not hesitate to resort to the legal institutions.
The District Chief Executive, Mr. Daniel Akuffo commended his predecessors for initiating the project and CODA for promoting the local economic development of the people.
He said the project which is expected to be completed in six months duration cannot be written without recognizing the key role of the Coastal Development Authority (CODA) for its financial support, without which, the event would not have been possible.
By: Austin Ofori Addo/ritefmonline.org
