Work is progressing steadily on the reconstruction of the famous Takoradi Market Circle.
The century-age-old trading centre is currently receiving the face-lift of a modern market that will offer all kinds of services upon completion
Metro News’ Western Regional Correspondent, Zambaga Rufai Saminu reports that phase one of the redevelopment of the central market, (about 80%) which is being undertaken by an Italian contractor, Messrs Contracta Costruzioni Italia SLR, is expected to be delivered by 2023.
It will be recalled that President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, cut sod for the redevelopment of the Market Circle in 2020.
The project will cost €48 million and is being financed by an export credit from the Deutsche Bank S.p.A Italy, with export credit guarantee support from SACE, the Italian export guarantee agency.
Upon completion, the new market will have 2,408 stores, 33 restaurants and food courts, as well as bulk breaking areas.
The facility will also have a visitors’ car park, offices, police and fire stations, a post office, a clinic, administrative offices, a daycare centre, space for banks and other financial institutions, a waste separation dock and changing rooms for staff.
The new market will also be fitted with fire detection equipment and fire re-combating systems to address fire outbreaks that usually affects the market.
Affected traders want the contractors to speed up the process in order to stay within the project schedule and meet the completion deadline this year
Kwame Adom, a trader at the market circle, attributed lack of speed at the construction site, to inadequate labour force
The construction stage of the market Circle project, according to statistics made available, has created between 400 and 500 direct jobs and between 1,000 and 2,500 indirect jobs along the supply chain.
