THE chief of Apremdo, Nana Agya Kwamena XI, has threatened to convert the popular Apremdo Market in Takoradi into a school project if the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly (STMA) fails to revive the dormant market as promised.
Speaking to journalists in Takoradi, the youthful traditional ruler said the market has been dormant for well over two decades now and he cannot fathom why the Assembly cannot exert its authority over the traders and carry out its mandate.
�I cannot sit down unconcerned while the land lies fallow and my people suffer quietly. I owe it a duty to fight for the interest of the people and I will not renege on that, especially if the STMA continues to drag its feet over the project,� he warned.
He said the Assembly must blame itself if it continues to incur the displeasure of the traditional authority.
However, the Presiding Member (PM) of the Assembly, Mohammed Ali, has described the comments made by the chief as unfortunate.
He said although traditional rulers are the custodians of land in the country, there are limitations in terms of development.
He said the powers of traditional rulers are restricted by the local government laws and most of the bylaws of the assemblies which empower local assemblies to decide how communities in the country should be planned, developed and governed.
He emphasised that Act 462 of the Local Government Act empowers the Metropolitan Assembly to decide how markets and all other related developments should be carried out by either the Assembly, its affiliate bodies such as traditional authorities, or the private sector.
Under the circumstance, he wondered where Nana Kwamena XI had his powers to declare the use of the Apremdo Market for a school project.
He said no matter what happens to the market project, the chief cannot usurp the powers of the Assembly by dictating to them as to what exactly they should do or should not do to make the place functional.
According to the PM, the chief can only make suggestions to the Assembly but cannot threaten to take an action for which he has no supporting powers.
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