Traders Comply With Accra Metropolitan Assembley's Directive At Long Last

Accra, Sept 1, - Traders at the Ebenezer market in Accra today moved to the New Makola Number Two market at Agbogbloshie in compliance with the ultimatum given by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA). Traders at the old Makola Market have, however, refused to move and brisk business went on as usual. The Assembly charged the city authorities last Thursday to ensure the quick evacuation of traders from the Ebenezer and Makola markets to the new Agbogbloshie Market before September one. All structures at the Ebenezer market have been razed down. During GNA's visit to the two markets, the AMA Task Force was seen working at the Ebenezer market. Although most of the evacuated traders have started trading at the Agbogbloshie market, they are not happy about the way AMA is handling the situation. Most of the traders told the GNA that if the Makola women are not rpt not moved to the Agbogbloshie market to give them equal trading opportunities, ''we will move back to the old place''. Mr Elliot Adom, AMA's Public Relations Officer, told the GNA that Ebenezer market traders moved voluntarily. ''The AMA expects the same from the Makola traders, that is why they have been allowed to operate today with the hope that they will use the day to pack up." AMA has its limits, he said, and warned that ''when persuasion fails, force will be applied at the appropriate time''. Mr John Taabavi, General Manager of the Makola Market Company, said he was happy about the way the traders moved into Agbogbloshie today and expressed the hope that the Makola traders will follow suit. He said since March, this year, the company has lost revenue totalling 324 million cedis, adding ''this waste could have been avoided''. The General Manager said as a first step towards ensuring that traders enjoy their stay and pay the first instalment for their stall or store, the company will not rpt not take any rent at the end of September.