The Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly (AMMA), in the Ashanti Region, on Monday 16th April 2018, carried out a demolition exercise at the Joe Boy bus terminal.
The exercise followed a ruling by a Kumasi High Court ordering drivers and traders to vacate the premises.
The exercise according to the Assembly, is to relocate the drivers to the Asawase Market terminal to pave way for the development of the Joe Boy bus terminal.
The exercise, which was supervised by both police and military personnel saw the demolishing of wooden and makeshift structures erected by members of the driver unions and other petty traders.
The terminal, which serves passengers travelling to destinations in the three regions of the North, has always been a source of conflict between supporters of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) and the National Democratic Congress (NDC), who claim ownership of the place whenever their parties assume power.
Some of the affected persons who spoke to Citi News had begun counting their losses.
They admitted that the Assembly has served them with three months’ notice before it carried out exercise.
Notice to vacate premises
Citi News has sighted a copy of a notice issued by the Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly to the leadership of the driver unions informing them about relocation plans to pave way for the redevelopment of the terminal.
The letter, which was issued by the Assembly after an emergency meeting between the Municipal Security Council (MUSEC), the Ashanti Regional branch of the Peace Council, and some leadership of the driver unions on 17th January 2018, stated that “The Assembly wishes to inform you that it will take six months for the project to be completed, you will be allowed to go back and continue with your businesses at the new Joe-Boy station”.
Temporary terminals for drivers
The Assembly has prepared temporary terminals at the Asawasi market and Ashtown to aid the relocation of the drivers and traders to continue with their businesses until the redevelopment of the Joe-Boy terminal is completed.
The Assembly has also provided the needed facilities to enable the drivers and traders carry out their businesses with ease.
Legal action
Some members of the driver unions (GPRTU) at the terminal who were not satisfied with the explanations given to them by the Assembly took the matter to court to contest the relocation.
After five appearances at a Kumasi High Court which was presided over by His Lordship, Justice C.A Wilson concluded that “I am satisfied that the Municipal Assembly is carrying out a public function, but the defendant GPRTU stands to be adversely affected. Consistent with the opinion expressed above, I shall grant the application and order the plaintiff (GPRTU) to vacate the land within five weeks from the date hereof that is on or before the 15th day of April, 2018. This ruling determines the matter and if the plaintiff/applicants fails to comply with the order, the order may be enforced by the execution process.”
Assembly’s engagement after court ruling
According to Chief Executive for the Asokore Mampong Municipal Assembly, Alhaji Alidu Seidu, the Assembly has held over fifty (50) meetings with the leadership of the unions and has also served them with notices and reminders to get them to comply with the ruling of the court and vacate the premises.
He said the Assembly will maintain its earlier pledge to allow the drivers to go back to the terminal immediately after the project is completed.
Alhaji Seidu indicated that there were plans to establish other bus terminals within the municipality which will serve passengers travelling to various destinations within the country.
The move, he added, will enable the Assembly to accrue more revenue through its Internally Generated Fund (IGF) to enable it to execute its developmental agenda and also help decongest the area.
He appealed to the affected traders and drivers to be calm and cooperate with the Assembly to bring development to the municipality.
–
By: Hafiz Tijani/Citinewsroom.com/Ghana