Standoff Between Makola Market Women And AMA Continue

Accra, Aug. 12, - Efforts to re-locate traders at the new Agbogbloshie market suffered another setback today when they refused assistance of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly to cart their wares free of charge. Seven vehicles sent to the Ebenezer market to assist traders who had made financial commitments to the Makola Market Company (MMC) returned empty after about five hours of fruitless negotiations. Some traders told the GNA at the Ebenezer market, opposite the National Hockey pitch, that unless a means is devised to move all foodstuff sellers in the central business area simultaneously, they will not rpt not leave. ''AMA officials came here before 0800 hours and tried to convince us to park and go, but we refused because there is no guarantee that the rest will follow,'' a beans seller said. They said they will lose their customers to their competitors who would be left behind. They have therefore adopted a wait-and-see attitude. Those who have not rpt not paid deposits said they have spent money in building their present stalls and could not afford the stalls at Agbogboloshie.

''This place is easily accessible to workers and people around. People go to the bank and just come here to buy.Others take a break and rush here to grab a few things and this is good for us. ''I don't think these people will come all the way to Agbogbloshie to buy,'' said another trader. A survey conducted at the remaining sheds at Makola, Angelina House and part of ''Kwasea Dwaaso''near the Accra East ECG head office, revealed that none of AMA's vehicles called at those places. At the Makola Number Two market, the traders wearing red arm bands, said they were prepared for a physical confrontation if any attempt is made to move them forcibly. Mr K. Ganiyu, spokesman for the Makola Market Welfare Union, said he had informed the Minister of the Interior about the tense situation in the market but he could not meeting him. Fortunately, however, the AMA officials did not rot not turn up at Makola Number Two market. The Union at a press conference last week said they will only move if the MMC gives them a written undertaking that they will be allocated shops at the Shopping Mall on its completion. Mr Gayinu said the MMC and AMA are yet to respond to this request. Some of the traders said that the MMC has refused to give them copies of the tenancy agreement because they have not completed payment of the fees. ''How can I pay for something whose details I do not know. Some people are saying that when you die your shop will not be given to your successor. Others are saying a time will come that they will eject all of us,'' one trader said. Auntie Aggie, a dealer in shoes and bags at Angelina House, said she did not understand why non-foodstuffs sellers are not rpt not being given the option to choose the Mall even thiough they can afford the cost. At the new market, a handful of artisans were fixing tiles and painting walls, and four traders - a cloth seller, a snack bar operator, a dealer in crockery and a chop bar operator - had mounted their wares. Mr John Taabavi, a disappointed general manager of the market, waned that the company could not wait for the traders indefinitely. The market was built according to the number of stall owners at the old market. Others can come and trade alongside their partners as they do at the old place, but they will have no right of ownership of any stall at the new market. Mr Taabavi said the shops at the Mall are available to individuals who can afford them. The company is under no obligation to give preference to any person or persons. He said the tenancy agreement is still in the pipeline, adding that only those who have paid will sign the agreement. The manager said they have already told the traders that the agreement will be reviewed after seven years. Rents will be subject to a review annually, he said. AMA officials were said to be meeting to decide on their next line of action.