Takoradi butchers worried over ultimatum by STMA

The Takoradi branch of the Butchers Association of Ghana says the ultimatum by the Sekondi/Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) to relocate to the Whindo Slaughter House before the end of the month is not feasible.

The butchers claimed that the new facility is not completed and moving there would greatly affect their business operations.

The Association’s current site at new Takoradi in the Western Region has been allotted to GHACEM by the STMA to be used as a car park and the butchers are being forcibly relocated to occupy the yet to be completed facility at Whindo in the Region.

Mr. Mohammed Anaba, Chairman of the Takoradi Butchers Association told the GNA that the STMA “cannot sack them from their present site without furnishing the Whindo facility”.

He said the area lacked good access roads, electricity, a cold store, slaughter house, offices. Singeing room, gas facilities, resting rooms and washroom, which are still under construction.

Mr. Anaba said the butchers were not against the relocation but entreated the STMA to ensure that the new place was fit for business operations.

A visit by the GNA to the site showed construction workers working on most of the facilities.

There are about five contractors working on the various components of the project but only three were seen at the time of the visit.

The three are: Lasalco Company, Kaksama Universal Limited and Dampco Limited.

Alhaji Sadic Mahama, Manager, Kaksama Universal Limited told the GNA that the rains delayed the projects because of the swampy nature of the area.

He said though most of the work maybe completed by the end of September; the main structure would take some time to complete.

Mr. Alasco Salifu, the contractor on the main facility, the slaughter house, also pleaded for time to ensure a good job is done.