The Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon Simon Osei Mensah has peacefully urged squatters along the Ahodwo-Sokoban road to relocate to pave way for the construction of the road from Ahodwo to Trede.

His posture against the squatters contrasts sharply with his earlier outburst that they should deal drugs if moving them will make them go hungry.

The Minister who had a meeting with the squatters together alongside the Member of Parliament for Nhyiaeso Constituency, Hon Kennedy Kankam inspected the road for construction to commence.

The Minister engaged the squatters and appealed to them to prepare for evacuation since the contractor will soon move to the site, reiterating that nothing must hinder the construction progress hence the need to make the squatters aware.

Speaking to the media, Hon Simon Osei Mensah said the project is expected to be completed within a year.

“Since the contractor is about to start the work, definitely majority of the squatters along the road will be affected. We don’t want a situation whereby the contractor will destroy the property of the squatters. We came to talk to them to prepare themselves to ensure smooth construction of the road. The contractor will come and mark the road so those who will be affected have to move before the construction starts”, he explained.

He added that the construction of the road comes with numerous benefits including the averting of flooding and traffic in the area.

Meanwhile the Member of Parliament (MP) for Nyiaeso Constituency, Hon Kennedy Kankam appealed to the squatters and residents to support the contractor to ensure smooth construction of the road.

The squatters speaking to MyNewsGh.com thanked the Ashanti Regional Minister, Hon Simon Osei Mensah for the quick notice.

According to them, since the bad nature of the road has become a major challenge affecting business activities in the area, they will move peacefully to pave way for the construction of the road.

They, therefore, appealed to the contractor to complete the construction on time.