Accra, June 23, GNA - Mr Alfred Okoe Vanderpuije, Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, on Thursday embarked on inspection tour to assess the challenges facing drivers and pedestrians following the implementation of the One-Way-Traffic project to ease traffic in Accra.

He noted that most of the traffic congestion and accidents that occurred in the past were the result of pedestrian walkways being taken over by hawkers compelling pedestrians to compete with vehicles on the streets as well as destroying lawns created to beautify the city.

Mr Vanderpuije observed that under the project drivers operate without much stress and gave the assurance that the project would be undertaken throughout the Metropolis.

He, therefore, urged the traders to refrain from competing with vehicles on the streets because it was dangerous and might lose their lives.

At Nima, an Accra suburb, Mr Vanderpuije observed that hawkers had returned to the street after several warnings. Vehicles were also seen parked on the streets due to inadequate parking spaces.

He assured drivers that the Assembly would soon create parking spaces for commercial and private vehicles to ease traffic on the road to enable them operate efficiently.

Mr Vanderpuije announced that a delegation of students from the United Kingdom would arrive in the country by the end of June to access land earmarked for a developmental project in Nima to enable the assembly undertake projects on the drainage system for community upgrading.

He pointed out that Nima would be part of the Millennium City project and an ECOWAS market as part of efforts to improve the area to befit its new status.

At Abbosey Okai, Mr Vanderpuije was compelled to close down some shops because they had placed their heavy spare parts on sale over uncompleted drainage projects making it difficult for the contractors to work.

He reiterated that human activities along the drainage caused floods in the Metropolis and urged shop owners to co-operate with the Assembly to complete the projects.

"These projects are to address the drainage problems as well as the vehicular traffic in one of the busiest business areas in the Metropolis where most people purchase their spare parts," Mr Vanderpuije.

The Accra Mayor announced that the Assembly was instituting measures to recruit more youths for training as sanitary inspectors to educate the public on the need to keep the environment clean to improve the sanitation in the Metropolis.