The Minister of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development, Mr Martin Adjei-Mensah Korsah, yesterday ordered Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in Accra, to remove all traders hawking on pavements immediately to ensure free movement of pedestrians on the walkways.
He also called on the assemblies to rigorously enforce bylaws to prevent traders from selling anywhere, emphasising the need for order and safety in Accra’s public spaces.
The Minister gave the order during a tour of the Odawna and Mallam markets in Accra to inspect progress on ongoing rehabilitation projects in the markets including 16 market sheds, four classroom block crèche and a 40- seater place of convenience.
Enforcement of existing laws, the Minister said was crucial in maintaining order and safety.
“Most nights, between midnight and 3: 00 am, I drive around town to understand the problems and I realise that most of the issues of congestion during the day are caused by recalcitrant traders obstructing movement with their merchandise on the streets and pavements,” he said.
According to him, the rigorous enforcement by the local assemblies would keep the roads clear for their intended use, rather than as extensions of market spaces.
In response to proposals allowing MPs and ministers to use sirens for better mobility, Mr Korsah said the issue was about enforcement, adding that when a road is constructed for free flow of movement, it has to be so.
The proposal, he said, had since been withdrawn, and the focus was now on implementing solutions to existing problems without resorting to such measures.
The Minister stressed that market places must be safe and functional for all that was why the construction of daycare centres and proper sanitation facilities at market places was very crucial.
At the Odawna market where 16 new sheds and a day care centre had been built, the Minister asked individuals who encroached the area to as a matter of urgency vacate, and structures demolished to reclaim the space.
Additionally, he gave vendors obstructing the construction of the market walls until the end of the day to vacate the area to allow contractors continue their work.
Addressing safety measures, Mr Korsah acknowledged concerns about flooding in the Odawna area.
He stated that recent efforts by the Ministry for Works and Housing were aimed at mitigating the issue by enhancing drainage systems to handle larger volumes of water.
Fire safety, he said, had also been prioritised, with periodic maintenance of electrical cables and other measures planned to prevent disasters.
He commended contractors for the good work done and hoped that the facilities would be properly maintained.
Dr Andrew Kwablah of NKA Consult who is the supervisor of the projects said the projects were near completion and would soon be handed over for usage.
He stated that the only challenge was the negotiation of space with traders who were still occupying some space within the markets while the project continued “notwithstanding, we are still doing our best to produce good results.”
BY RAISSA SAMBU
