KMA starts moving drivers from Kejetia
The Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) yesterday started the evacuation of drivers from the Kejetia Lorry Terminal to other markets to make way for the reconstruction of the Kejetia/Central Market.
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It was a smooth-sailing exercise as the first batch of drivers that comprised those taking passengers from Kejetia to towns in the Western Region moved their vehicles to the Afia Kobi Market, popularly referred to as Abinkyi Market, about five kilometres from Kejetia.
The drivers will be brought back to the Kejetia terminal after the redevelopment project.
Picketing
However, a handful of drivers belonging to the Ashanti Regional Drivers Association and traders, who could not demonstrate because of a court injunction placed on their intended demonstration, were seen picketing in their red bands and dresses within the terminal.
The Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Ashanti Regional Drivers Association, Mr Daniel Twumasi, reiterated their claim that the Kejetia Terminal was not part of the Central Market Redevelopment Project and that they would appeal to the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu, to intervene.
Police/Military
Although there was heavy presence of a combined team of military and policemen, backed by some KMA staff, the drivers moved willingly, rendering the armed security officers idle.
Passengers and traders who wanted to move to the temporary station to board buses to the Western Region or sell at the terminal had free rides to the place in Metro Mass Transit buses provided by the KMA.
This Metro bus ride, according to KMA, will be a regular feature of the exercise.
Those moved to Abinkyi were vehicles moving to Takoradi, Elubo, Tarkwa Prestea, Bogoso, Agona Wassa, Wassa Akropong, Asankragua, Samreboi, Juabeso, Asawinso, Sefwi Bekwai, Enchi, Bonsu Nkwanta, Osei Kojokrom, Debiso, Nyinahin, Kukuom and Bibiani.
The remaining drivers will be moved to Bantama, Akyemfuor Market and Race Course.
Reason for success
Briefing the Daily Graphic, the Public Relations Officer of the KMA, Mr Godwin Okuma Nyame, attributed the success of the move to the numerous meetings and work by the committee which included the leadership of the drivers and other stakeholders.
Sharing his impressions about the exercise with the Daily Graphic, the Chairman of the Ashanti Regional Cooperative Transport Union, Mr Isaac Kwadwo Boateng, described the process as “so far so good” but expressed the hope that the teething problems identified would be addressed.
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Mr Boateng, who is also a member of the Resettlement Committee that is overseeing the movement of the drivers to the various lorry stations, appealed to the authorities to ensure that recalcitrant drivers who failed to join them at the resettled terminal did not pick passengers by the road side.