The Mayor of Kumasi, Samuel Pyne, has cut the sod for the commencement of the Santasi Market Redevelopment Project.
The project, being pre-financed by Abba Investment Limited, the contractor, is expected to be completed within 24 months.
The proposed modern market, which would be fitted with solar power, would comprise other facilities, including a Fire Post, Polices Station, Crèche, Pharmacy and a 20-seater toilet facility.
Mayor Pyne noted that governance was a shared responsibility, and stressed the need for satellite markets in the Metropolis to enhance the Rapid Transport Service under the Sustainability Urban Mobility Programme (SUMP).
He urged the traders to cooperate with the construction company to enable it execute the project within schedule.
Madam Juliana Nsiah, Estate Officer of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), disclosed that all the requisite data of the traders had been captured, and that registration of the traders currently occupying the facility had been completed.
According to her, a mop up exercise would be done to ensure that all traders were duly registered to ensure equitable distribution of space at the facility upon completion.
She said an exhibition of the registered traders would be done to ensure a smooth relocation of the traders.
Mr. Joseph Kojo Otoo, Chief Executive Officer of the Abba Industries, said the work would begin as soon as the traders and market women had been relocated, and gave the assurance that with the cooperation of the traders and other stakeholders, the project could be completed in 18 months.
Nana Sei Atta II, Otumfuo’s Sasamohene, and Nana Amoako Kesse, Santasihene, witnessed the sod cutting ceremony of the project.
Also at the ceremony were Mr. Yaw Owusu, KMA Metro Works Engineer, Samuel Amankwah, Chairman of the Nhyiaeso Sub-Metro Council and Assembly Member for Santasi, and James Nana Prempeh, Assembly Member for Fankyenebra Electoral Area.
