Ashaiman Scrap Dealers On War Path With ASHMA / TDC Over Imminent Eviction

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A group calling itself the Washing Bay Scrap Dealers Association at Ashaiman in the Greater Accra Region are calling on Authorities of Ashaiman Municipal Assembly to give them a befitting and spacious location if the Assembly decides to go ahead and relocate them following incessant pressure to evict them.

The over 2000 plus occupants in the area are of the view that, the propose site which have been given them by ASHMA is too scanty, and as such will not be able to accommodate the said number of scrap dealers occupying the current land where they ply their scrap business, including their wares.

Some of the aggrieved scrap dealers who spoke to the press convened that, the proper thing ought to be done in order to forestall unforeseen bloodbath since they are peeved and furious at government.

Subsequently, they added that, it would be most insensitive, and preposterous for government to sit aloof and watch them suffer under the current harsh economic situation taken into cognisant of the negative impact of the novel coronavirus in the country, amid collapse of many businesses.

” We will only relocate when authorities decides to listen to our plight and act in our collective interest to bring peace and harmony , else the situation could be dire and dangerous, and don’t forget we also pay taxes to government” A lamentation by a member of the group.

Government through the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly, as well as a strategic partner / investor in 2020 attempted to evict the traders after information arrived to the effect that the land was earmarked to construct a ceramic factory, and a warehouse, under the 1 district 1 factory initiative. But checks indicate that, no adequate plan and arrangement was put in place to safeguard the economic livelihood of these scrap dealers, in terms of alternative area for the aggrieved dealers.

The eviction notice was later met with stiff resistance by the irate dealers who revealed that, the posture and inconsistencies in the engagement by the Tema Development Coperation, and ASHMA was in breech of trust contrary to earlier admonishment, and goodwill between leadership of the scrap dealers and city authorities to allocated to a government acquired land around Tema enclave but shockingly never saw the light of day close to some five years now.

It is however imperative to note that, the aggrieved scrap dealers are prepared to move from Ashaiman to any suitable location offered them by ASHMA or TDC within the municipality, if only the area is safe for brick business activities, in order to end the back and forth agitations.

Moreover, authorities at the Ashaiman Municipal Assembly last year when contacted by the media denied knowledge about the said eviction, after it came to the public spectacle and explained they do not have oversight responsibility over matters resurfacing from the scrap dealers and their scheduled relocation impasse.

By: Nana Dogbe | Ahotor 92.3fm | Ghana