Traders at Tema industrial market are kicking against a decision by city authorities to allow a private developer to put up structures close to Mankoadze roundabout.

They said releasing the land to the developer defeats its purpose of serving as a green belt.

According to them, they don’t understand why authorities have restricted them from extending their business to the very place it intends giving out to the private developer.

An angry trader said the green belt has been there for a purpose, he questioned what would happen if government decides to extend the road.

“From the harbour all the way to motorway roundabout is a green belt, it is there for a purpose so if you allow a Chinese or somebody, to breach the rules.

"After 50 years if we are gone, and if government wants to expand the road, is the government going to use taxpayers hard earn money to compensate?”

For other traders, developing additional structures apart from the current bus terminal may affect them and their business.

According to them the Chinese are coming to take over the shops to construct a big mall and that is a threat to their business hence their disagreement.

They are, however, pleading with government, President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo to come to their aid.

Speaking in an interview, the Chief Executive of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly (TMA), Felix Nii Anang-La said the development will be beneficial to the assembly.

He also mentioned that the land will be released to government when needed for the road expansion, adding that the purpose of the construction is to beautify the area.

According to him “the road reservation has become a dumping site for some people within the Tema Metro and we cannot continue to allow the place to look like that.”