Bolgatanga (Upper East) 5 May ?99

Work on the Bolgatanga Central Market has come to a standstill due to the inability of the contractor, messrs Lawaaba Limited, to deliver.

The 178 million cedi project is part of a World Bank-sponsored urban three project, which involves the construction of drainage systems, walkways and urinals.

It was awarded in July 1997 and should have been completed and handed over in May 1999.

The market site has now turned into a place of convenience for some residents and harbours criminals and drug addicts.

The delay in the construction of the market has affected business in the community because sales have reduced drastically following the demolition of the market for reconstruction.

Mr Henry Atiah, a spokesman for traders and store operators who spoke to the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga said efforts to get the district assembly to put pressure on the contractor to resume work has failed.

Mr Atiah condemned the bureaucracy existing in the assembly and said the situation discourages the business community from effectively interacting with the assembly, adding that "this does not augur well for development of the district."

Meanwhile, an official of the District Assembly who pleaded anonymity dismissed as false speculation that the project was due for handing over this month.