Ashiaman — Traders at the Ashaiman Market have expressed misgivings about the way the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), and for that matter the Government of the Republic have neglected them.

They did not understand why even though, they have over the years, been the highest contributor to the finances of the TMA coffers in the whole of the metropolitan area, they have been neglected.

The traders have therefore called for their share of the national cake by way of being provided the facilities they need to make their businesses grow for the betterment of their lives.

This came to light when the chief of Tema Manhean, Nii Adjei Krakue II interacted with traders at the Ashaiman Market, as part of his tour of markets in the Tema Metropolitan area last Tuesday.

Nii Adjei Krakue II also visited markets in Communities Nine, Eight, Seven, One and Tema Manhean all within the metropolis to familiarize himself with issues in these markets.

Presenting the grievances of the Ashaiman market women to the Tema Mantse, Chairperson of the Ashaiman Market Women, Madam K. K. Agogoe said the greater chunk of the revenue mobilization of the TMA is generated from the Ashaiman Market, yet the Assembly has failed to provide them with simple social amenities.

She therefore called on the authorities to provide them with urinals, public places of convenience, cementing of the market to prevent flooding during raining seasons, drainage systems and regular collection of solid waste from the market, which they believe is causing a lot of sicknesses and diseases to people who come to buy items from them as well as themselves.

She suggested that since the TMA has been collecting taxes from them for the past 12 years without doing anything in return for them, the TMA should allow them to collect taxes within the market for the next 12 years and use it to develop the market for the benefit of all. Addressing the traders, The Tema Mantse appealed to traders within the Tema metropolitan area to unite their front and, co-operate with the Metropolitan Assembly to help facilitate development in their respective markets as well as the area.

According to him, it is when they pay their levies or taxes to the Assembly regularly that the Assembly would be able to provide all the facilities they need to make their businesses progress.

The Tema Mantse appealed to the various trader groups there, to co-exist so that they would be able to present their petition as one body to the authorities for support.

At Tema Manhean, Madam Grace Akamafio, President of the Tema Manhean Provisions Sellers Association appealed to the TMA to provide them with urinals, a public place of convenience, cementing of the market floor and regular distilling of gutters in the market.

According to her, the Assembly has neglected them for far too long even though they always collect taxes and levies from them.