A major decongestion exercise has begun in Tamale’s Central Business District to ease traffic and restore order in the area.
Unauthorized lorry parks and stations as well as trading activities were brought to a halt following the Decongestion exercise.
The Decongestion exercise, started as early as 6:00am on July 2, with a joint taskforce comprising police personnel, city guards, traditional leaders, and assembly staff.
Major areas including the Central Market, Aboabo, and the main taxi station were affected. Even before the exercise, most of the traders and other tricycle operators had already vacated the streets.
The operation aims to restore order, ease traffic congestion, and enhance sanitation within the city.
Several traders, hawkers, and commercial drivers who failed to comply with earlier directives were picked up and sent to the Assembly.
Metropolitan Chief Executive of Tamale, Abu Takoro during the exercise emphasized that the exercise will be carried out across most streets.
“We are doing this exercise to prevent accidents on our roads. This road is meant for cars and other motorists to be moving freely and so why should we allow traders to take over these roads.”
“People will sit somewhere especially you the media and ask questions that where we are taking them. In the first place is the road a market?” he quizzed.
He cautioned that traders who will defy the enforcement of the exercise will be dealt with.
“The task force has been formed to collaborate with police to ensure they enforce the law and we won’t spare anyone who is found on the streets trading,” he warned.
Some traders who shared their frustrations to the news team blamed the Assembly for failing to provide alternative markets for them to transact their businesses.
“They are sacking us without providing any alternative market for us. That’s unfair,” she said.
