Kumasi, Jan. 20, GNA - An 11-member committee to oversee the efficient management of the Sokoban Village, an enclave built for wood workers in Kumasi, has been inaugurated.

It is made up of representatives from the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), wood workers, the Member of Parliament for the area, Regional Forestry Manager, and the management company of the village, Goldstreet Real Estate Consult. Mr Samuel Sarpong, the Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE), said the inauguration marked the end of the situation where the people did their own thing at the enclave.

"Unauthorized developments, illegal connections, conversion of sheds into shops, use of roads as storage areas for lumber and other negative activities need to be checked if we are to derive the maximum benefit," he said.

This underlined the importance of the establishment of the committee, Mr Sarpong said. The MCE asked the committee to be courageous and firm in the performance of its duties.

He warned that the KMA would not hesitate to apply the law to deal with those who attempted to create confusion at the village. He reminded the carpenters and lumber sellers to fulfil their tax obligations and ensure that the place was kept in good condition at all times.

Mr Agyekumhene-Adu Amankwa, the Metropolitan Budget Analyst and a member of the committee, said the committee would work diligently to enhance the development of the village.