Kumasi City Mayor, Samuel Pyne, says over 7,000 stalls at the new Kejetia Market will be provided with separate ECG meters after the conclusion of the contract bidding process on Monday, August 15.

The traders have been agitating the installation of a single unit power source serving all stalls at the market.

For months, they failed to settle their electricity bills, prompting the Electricity Company of Ghana to disconnect power to the market for one week.

Personnel from ECG and market leaders, including management, later agreed on a procedure to defray the outstanding debt.

The traders have so far paid 40% of the debt owed ECG.

But they continue to prevail on management of the facility to take immediate action to get them separate meters.

“The Public Relations Officer of the Electricity Company of Ghana says they won’t provide us with meters if we do not clear the debt. If ECG can provide us with meters, the management of this market should allow them. They can start by bringing it batch by batch,” said Ahmed Kwarteng, Operations Manager of the Kejetia Market Traders.

Speaking with David Akuetteh on Luv In the Morning on Luv FM, Metropolitan Chief Executive, Sam Pyne, assured the traders that they will get the meters when the bidding process is completed.

“We put up a team and asked for an expression of interest. About seven companies expressed interest. A technical shortlisting was done, and it was limited to three. On Monday, the final bidding will be done,” he said.

Meanwhile, Samuel Pyne says traders at the market facility will be billed to pay for the meter installation.

“The company will bear the cost of the meters. We will have a look at the payment arrangement. I have engaged the leadership of the traders about affordability, cost and payment. They know it is their responsibility as stakeholders of the facility to bear the cost. When the landlord bears the cost of the meters, that cost is added as part of the rent. It is not free,” he said.

Sam Pyne warned that traders who refuse payment will not be allowed to access power for trading activities.

“ECG does not give meters for free. Let us not tow a line of ignorance. ECG never gives meters for free. If you do not pay, then you definitely do not want to be part of the facility. You will not have power there. The meters which will be provided are smart meters,” he noted.