The business centre at the University of Cape Coast New Site popularly called Science, and the adjoining taxi rank is to be relocated to Apewosika.
Management of the University gave the hint during a meeting with hawkers and the taxi drivers operating in the area.
The drivers who are not enthused about the move, have expressed grave concern about the University’s failure to engage them on the issue.
Speaking to the Porter at the taxi rank, she noted that the University authority gave the notice without prior engagement with the union, and no specific time has been given for the relocation.
She said the action was unfair and could be disturbing but admitted that the piece of land belonged to the university.
Another driver, who spoke to The Coastal Eye said, the university has had a very good relationship with the Amamoma community having created opportunities for the residents to do business in the market enclave.
“We know that the land belongs to the school but we expected them to at least engage us before serving us with the notice to vacate the place. Sometimes the school security come here to harass us to move away from the place, which is very unfortunate,” he lamented.
The Deputy Estate Director of the University Estate Development Department, Papa Nii, told the paper that where the mini market and the taxi rank are currently located has been earmarked for a science complex annex.
He said the relocation has become necessary following a directive from the National Accreditation Board to relocate the occupants for work to begin on the complex.
He, however, denied the allegation of the drivers that they were not informed about the relocation. According to him, the university has engaged the leadership of the drivers on the need to relocate. They were also told that the University has secured a place for them at Apewosika to relocate to.
He said the new place at Apewosika was still under construction and as soon as it is completed, the drivers and the traders at the market square would be asked to move there.
The estate officer said the food vendors used to sell directly behind the College of Agriculture and Natural Science in the 90s.
He said the market structure was made up of palm fronds and said that was not befitting for a University standard.
According to him, the university also noticed the potential health hazards surrounding the food vendors and the likelihood of students contracting diseases, “decided to construct the market structure for the food vendors and provided space for taxi operations.”
On the issue of the harassment by the University security, he explained that the security personnel rather chased hawkers who usually strolled around campus without medical certificates.
By Nuurudeen Imoru-Liman
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