Over 500 people employed on the Takoradi Market Circle project and the Western Region's first interchange have been laid off.
Richard Asamoah Mensah, General Secretary of the Construction and Building Material Workers Union, verified the news to Nhyiraba Paa Kwesi Simpson, host of Connect FM's Omanbapa morning show, and also hinted that the development is a result of the imminent IMF accord.
"The PTC interchange project is currently on hold and all 453 local workers have been asked to go home. The Market Circle project is progressing at a slow pace, 121 workers have been laid off and those still engaged are not being paid. As I speak to you, I’m told the rest of the workers have been asked to go home. I have had meetings with the contractors and they tell me funds have not been released to them due to the IMF deal," Mr Asamoah Mensah indicated.
He adds that his office has had multiple meetings with the ministers who are directly in charge of the projects and that the results have been positive.
According to him, the development would stall the project's progress, which is currently 80 per cent complete.
"Work on those projects is left with only 20 per cent to be completed. They are grant projects but since the funds are not forthcoming, the workers are suffering. I have had interactions with the ministers directly involved but it seems they are helpless. The IMF deal is preventing the Chinese government from releasing the funds needed for the project. We are only hoping the situation will improve," he indicated.
The Sinohydro Corporation Limited three-tier interchange, which provides direct access to the Twin City's major business sector, was nearing completion at roughly 80%.
Residents in the Western Region anticipate easy traffic flow upon completion.
The Takoradi Market Circle project, on the other hand, is anticipated to ensure seamless commercial operations once completed.
However, a recent development has taken many by surprise.