Bimbilla Member of Parliament Dominic Nitiwul and Accra Mayor Michael Kpakpo Allotey have disagreed sharply over plans to demolish parts of the Konkomba Yam Market at Agbogbloshie to pave the way for a proposed 24-hour economy market.
Mr Nitiwul has questioned why the section predominantly occupied by Konkomba traders appears to be the focus of the redevelopment, while other parts of the market are reportedly not affected.
Speaking on Joy FM’s Top Story, Mr Allotey dismissed suggestions that the Konkomba community was being targeted. He said he had visited the market more than 15 times before the 24-hour economy project was introduced and personally participated in marking areas identified for redevelopment.
The mayor also challenged Mr Nitiwul’s version of events regarding consultations with traders, accusing the MP of giving the public a misleading account of the project.
“I don’t sit in the office, I am not an office mayor, I don’t wear political suit. I am always on the ground, I know what I am about, I know what I am saying, I don’t give fake news, I don’t deceive people,” he said on Wednesday, September 16.
Mr Allotey said the administration of President John Dramani Mahama had been working to improve conditions for Konkomba traders and insisted that the community was not being deliberately targeted.
Mr Nitiwul, however, maintained that his position was focused on protecting the interests of traders and yam farmers who depend on the market.
He said the Konkomba Yam Market serves millions of consumers and that a large number of yam producers in his constituency depend on the facility to sell their produce.
“In the case of the kokomba market, my people are the people of Ghana, the million people who buy yam at the kokomba yam market. 3-4 million yam are sold daily at the konkomba yam market so I represent those people. I also represent the yam producers from my own constituency, 90% of the yam producers are from my constituency so I represent them and I speak for them.”
Dispute over consultations
A major point of contention between the two officials is the nature of consultations between the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the leadership of the market.
Mr Nitiwul said Mr Allotey met leaders of the Konkomba Yam Market on July 28 and presented them with markings and drawings outlining the proposed redevelopment.
According to him, the traders told the mayor that it was their first direct engagement with him and that earlier consultations had involved individuals whom they did not recognise as their representatives.
Mr Allotey rejected that account and accused the MP of contradicting earlier statements concerning whether consultations had taken place.
“You lied to the people. I have not met them as at that time, you told them we just woke up and we decided to do this work. You lied to the people and you have to apologise.”
source – www.myjoyonline.com
