Controversial 22-storey Shopping Mall: Residents threaten to mention names

Residents of Airport residential area have threatened to go public with names of officials in the current administration who are behind the controversial 22-storey shopping mall being put up by Turkish investors, KASS PLUS-F in the area.

The residents initially raised red flag about permit for the establishment of such a commercial building in a residential area which they say poses security threat to them. The Turkish investors remained adamant and state institutions compromised as the construction commenced.

An Accra based radio station first reported when the company through its activities began to damage roads and buildings as a result of excavation to build four of the flats underground.

The reportage prompted the Roads and Highways Minister, Kwesi Amoako-Atta to visit the site where he was outraged at the the degree of damage caused to state and individual properties with impunity.

The Minister caused the arrest of the contractor and ordered that the barricade be cleared, asking the investors to fix the damaged road as soon as possible.

Besides, the residents have filed an injunction with a contempt suit at the general jurisdiction Court One in Accra preying the court to stop works immediately.

The contractor was also earlier ordered to construct retaining walls to prevent properties from final collapse which it defied.

A visit to the site presently reveals that in spite of the minister’s orders and the court injunction including a contempt placed on the company to stop work, they are hiding under the guise of constructing the retaining walls to continue with construction of the building in the night, causing more damage to buildings.

Nearby buildings are having the adverse effect of further cracks and residents fear some buildings may collapse soon.

Speaking in an interview with our reporter, Edward Tetteh, the angry residents who feel short changed by the company are asking the powers that be and the court to deliver justice or they will find justice for themselves.

The residents suspect some government officials behind the project, for which reason the Turkish investors have developed such thick skin.

They therefore threatened to mention their names should nothing be done soon. The angry residents of the Airport residential area say they will aside diplomacy pour out their wrath until the project is finally halted.

Source: Edward Tetteh || ghanaianvoiceonline.com