The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), Samuel Pyne, has disclosed that the government is set to release funds for the resumption of construction works on phase two of the Kejetia Market Redevelopment Project.
The project which began in May 2019 has stalled for more than a year after the construction firm, Contracta, left the site and terminated appointments of workers over the delayed release of funds for the project.
Traders have since raised concerns calling on the government to complete the project.
According to government officials, its domestic debt restructuring programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have prolonged the resumption of the market project assuring traders of its completion once it completes negotiations with the IMF
However, Mr Pyne in an interview noted that the construction company is ready to return to the site in August 2024 to commence full operations, following the government’s assurances to release funds for the project.
“We had a recommencement meeting on Thursday, July 18 2024, in Kumasi. Since they left about 13 months ago, that’s a year and a month, there’s a need for them to re-engage workers. At the moment, they have all the materials for the shops ready. So, they are doing a re-assessment of the materials that they left on site to confirm if they are fit for purpose for the project because the Finance Minister has given them a letter, assurance letter and assurance of prompt payment,” he said.
The project which was scheduled to be completed in February this year will comprise some 6,500 leasable commercial spaces, 5,400 closed stores, 800 kiosks, 50 restaurants, and other ancillary facilities such as a fire service station, police station and a mini theatre.
