The Mayor of Accra, Hon. Michael Kpakpo Allotey, has assured traders at Makola No. 2 Market that a proposed rent increase and a disputed 20% charge will not take effect immediately, as the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) moves to engage the facility’s management to resolve grievances that prompted the market’s closure on Thursday.
The Mayor made the pledge during a business visit to the market, where he spoke with traders following a demonstration that began in the early hours of Thursday, February 26, interrupting activity in one of the capital’s busiest commercial hubs.
After occupying the space purportedly held by SSNIT for more than 30 years, the traders closed their stores in protest of what they called unfair rent circumstances and the imposition of a 20 percent fee.
Additionally, the dealers expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of noticeable improvements in the market as a result of rent components like as maintenance and sanitation costs, claiming that circumstances were getting worse while prices were still rising.
The Mayor addressed the traders, stating that he had not given anyone instructions to raise the facility’s rent and that neither the President nor the Government had ordered the hike.
He said the government recognised the economic challenges the traders faced and sympathised with their predicament.
He explained that meetings with the facility’s management will be held to assess the issue and reassured the traders that the AMA and the government would endeavour to find cooperative solutions.
According to him, the rent amounts ought to stay the same until those talks were over.
Increases would not be warranted if the facility’s condition did not improve, the mayor said, adding that any future rent adjustments should be linked to the growth and enhancement of the market area.
As part of steps to make the area more business-friendly, he declared that the AMA would take over the management of the cleanliness in the region, including making sure that the accumulated trash around the market was removed.
Since he had an open door policy and was available to all people, especially the underprivileged and those with disabilities, the mayor urged the traders to direct their issues through the AMA for resolution.
Assuring the traders that the government was paying attention and had taken action to involve them in finding a solution, he urged them to maintain their composure and patience.
Some traders who spoke after the interaction thanked President John Dramani Mahama and the Mayor for what they described as a responsive approach, expressing gratitude for the intervention.
They claimed that the visit had given them hope that their companies would be shielded from what they saw as unreasonable demands and that the issue would be settled through conversation.
Source: newsthemegh.com