The Kumasi Traditional Council (KTC) has instructed the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA) to demolish any structure impeding the early completion of the Kumasi Redevelopment Project.
The Council, chaired by the Bantamahene Baffuor Owusu Amankwatia VI stated the development of Kumasi supersedes any personal interest and for that matter no individual can thwart the development agenda of the metropolis.
Speaking at a special sitting today when two feuding parties, the KMA and a private developer visited for a ruling on a case they had brought before it, Bantamehene expressed worry at the slow pace in completing project.
The two factions accompanied by their lawyers, earlier recounted to the Council why the project had delayed.
KMA (ISSUES)
On the part of the KMA, the Urban Roads Director, Nana Atta Poku Agyemang, who stood in for the Mayor of Kumasi explained that the Kejetia project has delayed as a result of the unavailability of a parcel of land for the siting of a technical area.
This is because All States Constructions Limited, a firm belonging to a private developer had placed a court injunction on the development of an area the project contractor had earmarked as technical area.
Nana Poku told the council that the technical area will house all the utilities including water, electricity and gas installations.
He stressed that until the technical area is developed, the Kejetia project cannot be completed.
He added that the CEO of All States, Nana Karikari Asante recently built on the road which is supposed to be used for the construction of a three-lane road as part of the Kejetia road network improvement.
PRIVATE DEVELOPER:
On his part, the owner of the said property, Mr Karikari Asante said he was given permit by the Assembly to put up structures within the former market arena in 2003.
According to him, since the Kejetia project started, he has had two of his structures pulled down by the KMA, adding the Assembly has since not paid any compensation to him.
Mr Karikari said he cannot stop the development of KMA but was only fighting for the due compensation before he allows his property to be demolished again.
RULING:
Giving his ruling, Bantamahene asked that the KMA demolish the said structure impeding the project without compensation since Mr Asante had defied earlier instruction by the Asantehene for him not to put up any new building at the site.
However, he charged that the KMA issue guarantees to property owners for any building that will be demolished for evaluation and compensation.
Baffuor Amankwatia also announced the constitution of a Committee of Chiefs and lawyers of KMA and property owners to see to the amicable resolution to the current impasse and others that will arise.
