The La Nkwantanang-Madina Municipal Assembly has cautioned traders against rebuilding shops at the Madina Redco slum, which has been declared a security zone following recurring destructive fires.
Despite the restriction, some traders have begun reconstruction after the latest blaze destroyed their shops. They are, however, appealing to the government to expedite investigations and reopen the area to enable them to resume business.
The Assembly has maintained that encroachers will be arrested and prosecuted if they defy the directive.
However, some traders have appealed to the government to sanitise their trading area and regulate activities to ensure safety, following fresh concerns over encroachment and disorder.
Speaking to Citi News on Saturday, August 23, they expressed frustration over attempts by unknown persons to seize spaces originally allocated to them.
“When this thing happened, nobody came to help us or give us money. Yet people want to take our spots. For us to come back, we need to return to our places and start everything afresh,” one trader said.
Another added, “Someone has come to put a 40-footer container here, claiming the land belongs to his mother. We reported the matter to the Municipal Assembly, and they said they would take the container away, but it is still here.”