Takoradi, Feb 07, GNA - A team of police, soldiers and metropolitan guards of the Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly (SAEMA) on Monday evicted illegal traders operating around the Takoradi Market Circle. The exercise, which began at 0400 hours, took the traders by surprise and when many of them arrived to begin their operations, they found that the security personnel had positioned themselves at vantage points around the market.

Several wooden structures and unauthorised warehouses around the market were demolished.

Mr. Philip Kwesi Nkrumah, the acting Chief Executive of the Shama Ahanta East Metropolitan Assembly, said the exercise was meant to make pedestrian movement easier, faster and convenient.

He said most of the traders had taken over all the pedestrian walkways, parking spaces and built wooden sheds and warehouses, making the market circle untidy, dirty and congested.

Mr Nkrumah said the exercise would continue till the traders move back into their stalls, stores, sheds while those without any shops would be re-located to the Apremdo Market near Kwesiminstim.

''The Apremdo Market is empty while traders are willing to sell close to refuse dumps, open drains and places of convenience.'' Mr Nkrumah said the Apremdo Market had been provided with water, electricity, security and warehouse facilities to make trading activities safe, conducive and disease free but the traders and shop owners have persistently refused to use it.

Madam Adwoa Moncar, a trader, said the discharging of goods at the Apremdo market by large trucks would ease congestion and facilitate vehicular flow. She therefore called on the assembly to provide a day care centre at the market.