Amoamanhene and Asantehene’s Representative on the Kumasi City Market project, Nana Agyemim Boateng, has clarified that ” there is no missing or unaccounted for amount of GHC3.6 million as indicated by the Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly (KMA).
Speaking on Ghanakoma morning show on Akoma 87.9fm in Kumasi with Aduanaba Kofi Asante Ennin, Nana Agyenim Boateng, who is also the Vice Board Chairman of Kumasi City Market, said the loan they took from the Fidelity Bank has been duly disbursed.
He stated that, the entire amount of GHC8.6 million disbursed for phase 1 of the Krofrom Market project comprised GHC4 million from Fidelity Bank’s approved facility of GHC5 million and the KMA’s own funds of GHC4.6 million disbursed from their contribution of GHC5 million towards the project”.
He said this move helped them to complete 2,304 stalls around May 2021.
“The inability of the Assembly to give those shops to traders is due to lighting issue,” he explained.
Last week, City authorities said they are exploring alternative sources of funding to complete the building of the Krofrom Market which has been abandoned for many years.
The project, which started under the former President John Agyekum Kufuor administration, was left uncompleted due to funding challenges, leaving the project in a state of disrepair.
The market, which has been abandoned for over 20 years, has sparked a growing agitation among traders and residents in the city with many threatening series of protests.
Nana Agyenim Boateng said the assertion by the KMA on the missing GHC3.6 million is a move to discredit the work of the board and past managers of the Assembly.
“This is a calculated attempt to discredit our works, but it will not work”, he said.
He noted that, the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, is committed to the general development of Asanteman, for which cause he has achieved a lot over the years.
The chief paid a glowing tribute to Otumfuo Osei Tutu II for his total commitment towards the development of the region since assumption of the Golden Stool 25 years ago.
“The King has virtually been the brain behind all the monumental projects that had taken place in Kumasi and other parts of the region for quite a long time.
The King was directly involved in a number of projects such as the Kejetia and Central Market Redevelopment Projects, the Jubilee Market at Krofrom and others.
He mentioned that in some instances, the King had to personally provide funds and serve as a guarantor to some banks before monies could be made available for projects to start or continue, as well as release parcels of land worth millions of dollars following his commitment to ensure development
Source: 3news.com