President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo will next month cut the sod for the construction of the first interchange in the Western Region at the Kwame Nkrumah Roundabout in Takoradi.

The initiative is part of the government’s campaign promise to provide the area with better road networks.

The interchange is expected to ease traffic flow considerably and shorten travel time for commuters in the area.

The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA), Anthony Kobina Kurentsir Sam, revealed this when officials from the assembly met members of the Ghana Association of Grages at Takoradi Kokompe yesterday.

The engagement was part of activities marking the assembly’s maiden ‘Development Control’ week. It was on the theme: “Obtain your permits before development”.

The meeting was used to educate the members on the need to obtain building and other development permits before putting up any structure.

He indicated that the assembly was developing the light industrial area at Mampong in the metropolis with the requisite facilities so that all artisans and mechanics operating along the roads in the area would be moved to Mampong.

He announced that the assembly would construct modern markets that would boost the local economy. He indicated that the move would also help businesses to thrive.

“We have investors who have expressed interest and the necessary procedures for work to start,” he added.

Obtaining Permits

The residents were taken through the need to obtain development and building permits and how the permit could be obtained before putting up any structure or building.

George Diawuo, Technical Committee Chairman of the Spatial Committee of the assembly, stressed that anyone who intended to develop a parcel of land in the metropolis must obtain permit.

He, however, indicated that the permit would be invalid and the building would become unauthorized if it did not conform to the approved plan.