DECONGESTION OF KUMASI CITY IMMINENT - KMA BOSS

MR. SAMUEL Sarpong, the newly-appointed Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA), says decongestion of the Central Business District in Kumasi is an indispensable exercise. “It is a big challenge, but is has to be executed,” he told The Chronicle in an exclusive interview.

He noted that his predecessor did a great job in her attempt to decongest the city, except that she lacked the political will to execute an exercise which was intended to eventually benefit residents. “She was almost there, but left off where she should have stamped her authority,” he noted.

According to him, the task was not easy, but he hoped to achieve this objective after the assembly had met with all stakeholders, including market queens, to educate and sensitise their members on the need for the exercise.

He also hinted that the Kumasi Central Market would be reconstructed to increase the number of stores and stalls to absorb some of the traders who are spilling over onto the streets.

Mr. Sarpong said as a long term plan, the Assembly would embark on the creation of lorry parks alongside the development of all satellite markets in the metropolis, as an effective way of decongesting the city off commercial activities that go on along the pavements.

He hinted that the KMA was to engage all transport unions in drawing up the modalities in the creation and running of the proposed lorry parks.

He noted that there was so much filth in the city that sanitation would be given priority attention in the crucial areas of operation, and disclosed that he would revive the sanitation policy (Tankass) concept, and ensure that bye-laws on sanitation were strictly enforced, emphasising that defaulters would be sanctioned.

Mr. Sarpong, 52, who polled 77 of the 79 valid votes cast (97.5%) to be confirmed as the 23rd Mayor of Kumasi recently, said, in his acceptance speech, that his priorities were security, congestion at the city centre, revenue mobilisation for development, and investment drive for the proper development of Kumasi.

He said, with the co-operation of assembly members, he would clamp down on armed robbery in the metropolis, and ensure law and order, safety and the security of all residents.