Samuel Pyne, CEO of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), announced that the government has released funds to restart the abandoned Central Market project.
The construction firm Contrata had left the site and terminated staff appointments, leaving only security and top management in place.
”We had a recommencement meeting last week Thursday 18 July 2024 in Kumasi. Since they left about 13 months ago that’s a year and a month, there’s the need for them to re-engage workers.
Reengaging them, there’s the need for them to go through medical tests so they have given themselves three weeks that is about 3rd to 4th August, 2024 to conclude the process,’’ he said.
The Kumasi Mayor also explained that the firm will resume full operations next month, prioritizing the completion of unfinished floor concrete work and the installation of the stores.
“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 on the project, because the Finance Minister has given them a comfort letter, Assurance letter and assurance of prompt payment,’’ he said.
The €248 million project, which began in May 2019, was initially slated for completion within 48 months. However, due to the government’s debt restructuring program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the project has been delayed by 13 months.
Traders affected by the delay had protested against the government, threatening to vote against the ruling party in the 2024 Presidential and Parliamentary elections.
Following successful renegotiations with the IMF, funds have now been released to resume the project.
The completed project will include 6,500 leasable commercial spaces, 5,400 closed stores, 800 kiosks, 50 restaurants, and essential facilities such as a fire service office, a police station, and a mini theater.
Despite the resumption of work, KMA CEO Sam Pyne noted that the project is unlikely to be finished within the next five months, before the 2024 elections.
“The project should have been ready by February this year. We have wasted or delayed about 13 months and therefore, if there’s even going to be a crash of the program on site, I know it is not going to be 3-4 months’ work.
The work will go beyond 5 months so I can’t give the exact time that the program will end, but to be honest with you, we can’t conclude the work on site before the elections,’’ he stressed.
He assured Kumasi residents of the government’s resolve to complete all projects started in the city since the NPP came to power.
