Chinese developers constructing the China Mall project at the Koforidua Kenkey Factory area in the New Juaben South Municipality have resumed work despite a directive from the Regional Security Council (REGSEC) ordering a halt to construction until drainage works in the flood-prone area are completed.
Citi News can confirm that the developers returned to the site following assurances from the New Juaben Traditional Council, a move that has drawn criticism from residents and road users who had earlier welcomed the intervention by city authorities to suspend the project pending reconstruction of the drainage system.
The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Awatey, two weeks ago visited the site and ordered construction to stop for a second time following public outcry after heavy rains caused flooding that submerged homes and rendered sections of the area, including the main road, impassable.
Residents and motorists say the flooding situation has worsened since construction of the China Mall project began on what they describe as a riparian zone that previously accommodated large volumes of runoff from the Nsukwao and other streams in the area.
Before construction commenced, the developers reportedly entered into an agreement with REGSEC and the Municipal Assembly to reconstruct the narrow drainage system beneath the traffic-light intersection to improve water flow from the affected area to the opposite side of the road.
After allegedly failing to honour that agreement, the developers were directed to suspend work following flooding that affected nearby homes and parts of the construction site itself.
A renewed agreement was subsequently reached after the developers assured the Regional Minister that they would comply with the directive and undertake the drainage reconstruction under the supervision of the Urban Roads Department and Municipal Assembly engineers.
However, a visit to the site on Friday revealed that construction activities had resumed even though the drainage works are yet to be completed, contrary to REGSEC’s directive.
Sources familiar with the matter told Citi News that the developers sought the intervention of the New Juaben Traditional Council after the suspension order was issued.
According to the sources, the Traditional Council cited concerns, including the deterioration of construction materials already delivered to the site, financial penalties associated with project delays, the continued payment of expatriate workers, and the potential impact of prolonged delays on investor confidence, as reasons for seeking a resolution to allow work to continue.
The latest development has angered residents, taxi drivers and other road users, who argue that public safety and the protection of lives should take precedence over financial considerations.
They fear that allowing construction to continue before the drainage problem is addressed could worsen flooding in the area and expose residents to further risk during the rainy season.
