Takoradi, Dec. 1, GNA - Mr Paul Evans Aidoo, the Western Regional Minister, has said the remedy for the rampant fire outbreaks, congestion and inaccessibility of market centres was with proper planning of markets across the country.

He appealed to Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies to adopt the new market model designs being facilitated by the Ministry of Trade and Industry. Mr Aidoo said this at the second Regional Road Show of Model Market designs for Metropolitan, Municipal and District capitals held in Takoradi on Tuesday. He said most of the markets in the country showed pitiful sights such as filth, unhygienic structures, congestion, poor drainage, over crowding and inaccessibility. Mr Aidoo appealed to the assemblies to consider public/private partnership to mobilize resources to make use of the new market model designs.

He said it was important for assemblies to take markets seriously and to let them function efficiently for their own benefit. "If we recognize the importance of markets to our revenue generation drive, then there is the need to put in place a systematic approach to operation and maintenance, to ensure effective and efficient management of the day-to-day activities in the markets," Mr. Aidoo said. 01 Dec. 10