Business News of Monday, 5 March 2018
Source: thebftonline.com
2018-03-05
Prolonged litigation blamed for delay of the project
The redevelopment of the Kejetia bus terminal into an ultra-modern market complex, which was initially planned to be completed by January, is now expected to be completed by close of year.
The US$298 million project, which is now estimated to be 90 percent complete, was started in October 2015 with construction works projected to last for 24 to 30 months.
But work on the facility was stalled by protracted litigation, which led to a court injunction restraining the contractor from working on a portion of land the project should have been extended to.
However, with intervention from the Asanteman Traditional Council – acting on behalf of the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II – and a new ruling lifting the injunction, the remaining part of the work has commenced and is hoped to be completed soon.
According to the contractor, Contracta Eng. Ltd, the Ministry of Local Government and Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) have been informed of the new scheduled date to complete the project.
A local consultant working with Contracta on the project, Mr. Emmanuel Danso, said with these challenges seemingly resolved, all the materials and equipment needed to finish are available to get it done.
He said the project delivery date extension will not affect cost of the project.
He also disclosed that, latest by October, the next phase of the project which focuses on the Central Market will be commenced.
“Now, constructional design is ongoing; and when everything is done, all the stakeholders will be engaged to bring a lasting understanding and support toward the project.”
Completion of the project is expected to bring to an end the frequent fire outbreaks at Kejetia, while also easing its congestion.
In a related development, the KMA has cautioned traders to be wary of unscrupulous persons who pose as its agents and go about extorting money from people under the pretext of allocating stores to them, once the project is completed.
The Assembly said the public, especially traders, should not pay any money to any person, group of persons or organisation under the circumstance of securing stores at Kejetia.
In a statement to the press, the KMA stated that it had not authorised any person, group of persons or organisation to collect money on its behalf for the purpose of allocating stores to traders.
It said, however, that it will soon commence validation of all traders and shop owners who were registered at the Kejetia Lorry Terminal, prior to commencement of the project.
Traders were thus urged to seek further information on the project at the Assembly, or risk making any payment at their own peril.