Tema, July 15, GNA - Members of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) taskforce on Tuesday morning demolished wooden structures situated on the pavements of some principal streets within the central business area of the Metropolis.

The exercise, which was carried out at about 0730 hours, affected structures sited in front of El Paso, behind the Community One branch of the Standard Chartered Bank, former Kingsway area, the Taxi Rank near Shell fuel station and the Casino area. When the Ghana News Agency visited the scene at about 1000 hours, some victims of the exercise were seen busily gathering pieces of wood, glasses and roofing sheets from the debris while others stood in groups discussing their plight.

Some of the traders said members of the taskforce announced on Friday that structures, including unit transfer tables, mobile phone stands among others, should be removed from the pavements. According to them, they were not informed of the demolition exercise which caught them by surprise on Tuesday morning. Mr Bismarck Atibiru, a victim who trades in bags, said even though their structures were not on the pavements, the taskforce demolished them without any explanation.

He added that owners of metal containers were given up to 1200 hours to remove their structures or have them demolished. Mr Prince Eshun, a victim, who said all his three structures situated at the Kingsway area were demolished, questioned the basis for the exercise.