Ashaiman, Aug 15, GNA - The implementation of the vision of the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly to turn the municipality into a model city is under serious threat due to encroachment on lands earmarked for projects.

The encroachers, who have extended their structures onto the roads and drainage, have refused to relocate after the assembly has ordered them to remove their buildings which include super markets, carpentry shops, boutiques, hair dressing salons and tailoring shops.

The assembly members led by Mr Emmanuel Neequaye Djanie, Presiding Member of the assembly and officials of Asib Limited and CARDS Engineers, Contractors and Supervising Consultants for the Urban Environmental Sanitation Project Two (UESP2) on Thursday toured the town to assess the situation.

During the inspection, the team observed that some of the encroachers had broken part of the gutters that have been constructed while others continue to erect structures on the road.

Mr Xorla Ahadji, Project Coordinator of UESP2, told journalists that under the project 3.9 kilometres road with side drains and 2.7 kilometres water works would be constructed at a cost of GH¢1,15285 project.

Mr Ahadji said the project, which is funded by the World Bank, started in April and that streetlights would also be erected. He said encroachment on the roads was delaying the project, expressing the fear that the World Bank would withdraw their support if the contractors fail to meet the deadline.