After spending GH¢11,64,757.80 to construct phases 1 and 2 of a mechanical enclave, the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly has finally had contractors hand over the project to the assembly for onward utilization by the operators of garages in the municipality.
The two phases involved the construction of sheds, a fire service and police post, a retaining wall, and graveling of the entire area.
This forms part of a World Bank facility for 42 Municipalities across the country for them to embark on industrial-related projects in a bid to create jobs as part of the Ghana Secondary Cities Project. In the Upper East Region, the Bolgatanga and Bawku Municipalities are benefiting from the facility.
Similar funding saw the Bolgatanga Municipal Assembly construct an abattoir complex which is now in use.
Over the last decades, the urban population of Ghana grew substantially. More than 56 percent of the population resided in urban areas in 2021. Urbanization has resulted in a greater share of the population with access to basic services, but continuously growing urban population and demand have outpaced infrastructure and service provision. Climate change and natural disasters has further exacerbated the challenge in service delivery. If urbanization is not managed well, the growing urban population and spatial development patterns of cities would put more people and assets at risk.
But this if managed well with integrated land use planning, urbanization can lead the country to sustainable growth by increasing productivity, livability, and inclusivity.
With the project, people in urbanized areas will have improved access to services.
Speaking Friday, during the handing over of the facility, the Municipal Chief Executive for Bolgatanga, Rex Asanga, says the government has expended over GH¢11 million on the two phases with phases 3 and 4 yet to kick in.
He expressed hope that the operators of garages in the municipality will move in as soon as possible.
Apart from the garages that are expected to move, the MCE, disclosed that the assembly is in talks with the fire service and the police command to utilize their respective facilities.
“It will be a one-stop-shop for mechanics and this is phase 1 and 2. We still have phases 3 and 4 but we need to occupy this facility, latest by September. We have held meetings with the garages, the fire service, and the police and we hope that all of them will move to the new facility. We will be happy if they move because the next assessment for DPAT, if they come and it is not being used, we lose all the marks and then they will go and say that Bolga Assembly, we are not performing but we have done our part.” Mr. Asanga stressed.
The Secretary of the Garages in the municipality, Edmund Kolbil, disclosed that the various garages will immediately start work to relocate to the new enclave as they hope for the facility to be expanded further to accommodate more.
“We have been expecting this because some of our members are still hanging and I can say that some are even ready to move in. We are just working on some of the modalities and I can say by September, we will be in. So, yes, September, we should be in.” He stated.
