Takoradi, May 21, GNA - Mr Kobina Pra Annan, Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Chief Executive has assured traders at Takoradi Market Circle that the assembly has not taken any decision to decongest the market.

"I have arranged a meeting with market queens to know some of their challenges and how to solve them, "he said. Mr Annan gave the assurance when interacting with the media after a familiarization tour of the metropolis. He visited markets at Kojokrom, Apremdo, Takoradi and inspected some drains and roads within the metropolis. Mr Annan announced the introduction of a new tax system for the market women to move to Apremdo market while their current site would be developed into a car park.

"I have come to ensure that everyone work in peace and would not interfere in your work until discussions have been held with the leadership of the various groups in the market," he said. However, he said decongestion at the Takoradi Central Market would become necessary only when the market cannot contain the people adding "this would be done to bring peace and understanding among the citizenry".

Mr Gokeh Miah, Deputy Director of Operations at Waste Management Department of STMA said the assembly had evacuated most of the garbage that had piled up at Effiakuma and other places in the metropolis. He noted that lack of funds to repair some broken down refuse trucks was a major challenge to the assembly and advised residents within the metropolis to change their negative attitude of indiscriminate littering to enable the assembly channel most of its resources on other development issues.