The Ashanti
Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) is lending support for an industrial estate
project to resettle automobile artisans at Suame Magazine in Kumasi.
The Suame Magazine Industrial Development
Organization (SMIDO) is spearheading the initiative to build a modern
industrial complex for vehicle repairs and maintenance.
“The engagement with State institutions was one of
the conditions by which we needed to convince DANIDA to support the development
of the industrial village project”, stated Nyaaba-Aweeba Azongo, SMIDO Consultant.
The Danish development agency (DANIDA) has expressed
interest to provide technical support for the project, but on condition that
government demonstrates commitment to play its role in advancing the project.
Such commitment includes the provision of road infrastructure,
electricity, water and security.
The RCC has now proposed the constitution of a seven-member
committee to push the agenda forward – members will be drawn from the Kumasi Metropolitan
Assembly, the RCC and representatives of the associations at Suame.
Also on the committee is the Chief of Adubinsu-kese,
Nana Apeasa II, who is
the custodian of 1000 acre land earmarked for the project.
Meanwhile,
artisans at Suame and other automobile clusters in Kumasi have started signing
up for the SMID Fund, managed by the United Pension Trustee of the Vanguard Assurance Group.
The industrial development fund has been launched as a self-initiative
to provide a financial regime towards the development of the industrial complex
project.
All
mechanical associations and artisans in the congested industrial enclave are to
register to secure space on the 1000 acre land for the industrial estate.
Suame
Magazine is the single largest informal sector employer in the country, with a
population of over 200 thousand.
Story by
Kofi Adu Domfeh
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