Tema, April 06, GNA - The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Mr Nii Armah Ashitey on Monday expressed disappointment at the neglect of his baby project, the Tema International Trade Exposition Centre (TEXPO) by the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA).

The project, which he initiated when he was the Chief Executive Officer of the TMA was to create a platform for business and commerce in the metropolis.

The 24 acre land project covering about 100 plots of land was to have a shopping mall, banks, playground, restaurants, offices for big companies in Tema, a showroom for cars as well as business information centre. Nii Ashitey who toured the centre at Baatsonaa as part of a working visit to the metropolis expressed his displeasure at the state of the place as it has been over taken by squatters and churches who said they have being paying rent to unknown persons. Filth from activities of the squatters and traders who sell their wares at the premises now called Tema Trade Centre on Saturdays has also engulfed the centre.

The Regional Minister got infuriated when Mr Kwaku Akportosu, Tema Metropolitan Coordinating Director informed him of the 50-year leasing of TEXPO to a private company.

He learnt that the Assembly in 2005 signed an agreement with Jospong Group of Companies under which the TMA would own 30 percent while the private company owns 70 percent shares of the project. Jospong Group of Companies therefore, paid 1.2 billion cedis to land owners as compensation on behalf of the TMA.

Nii Ashitey stated that; "I am very much disappointed at what TEXPO has been turned into," adding that; "nobody seems to be in charge." He further stated that, "TMA is always shouting for help from government while the place goes to waste."

He urged the assembly to sit up and control the haphazard building on the Spintex road and other parts of the metropolis indicating that the situation makes him "wonder whether if we have an authority in the metropolis."

Two exhibitions were held at TEXPO during Nii Ashitey's tenure of office and were heavily patronized by both local and foreign business operators.

He said TEXPO has the potential of becoming viable and wished he could execute his intention if it had not been leased for such a longer period.

Later at a meeting with the heads of departments of TMA and decentralized departments, the Minister charged the Waste Management and the Development Control Departments of the Assembly to clear the principal streets of the metropolis of traders and unauthorized structures.

Nii Ashitey entreated them to take charge of such issues at the early stage instead of waiting for it to escalate before taking action, adding that, district assemblies have the responsibility of developing their areas.

He also cautioned staff of assemblies to desist from blaming politicians for their inability to develop and decongest their areas, noting that assemblies have the right under the constitution to do their work without the interference of politicians. The Minister promised to harmonize the relationship between the Assembly and the Tema Development Corporation (TDC) which duties overlap in issuing building permits.

Mr Fats Nartey, Chief Director of the Greater Accra Regional (GARCC) Coordinating Council who accompanied the Minister urged the assembly staff to ensure the proper management of the metropolis and the region. Mr Nartey asked the Assembly to submit to the GARCC a plan to address problems associated with waste management, revenue mobilization and prolong processes in the acquisition of building permits in the metropolis. 06 April 09