Govt warns contractor: Six-month ultimatum on Bimbilla 24-Hour Market Project

The Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, has issued a firm six-month ultimatum to the contractor handling the new 24-hour economy market in Bimbilla: mobilise to the site or risk losing the contract.

The warning came during a sod-cutting ceremony for the project on Saturday, which forms part of President John Dramani Mahama’s “Resetting Ghana Tour” of the Northern Region.

Addressing officials and residents, Minister Ibrahim cautioned Yaape Doo Company Limited against delays and substandard work, emphasising that the government will not tolerate excuses.

“Contractor, you are given two years to complete it. The President would want to commission it,” Mr. Ibrahim stated. “No shoddy job, no mobilisation. In six months, if you’re not on site, we will re-award it to another contractor. All these are conditions in the contract.”

The Bimbilla market is the flagship pilot for a broader national policy to establish 24-hour markets across all 261 metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs) in the country. The initiative is designed to boost commercial activity, create jobs, and provide round-the-clock security and amenities for traders, particularly market women.

According to the Minister, each facility will be equipped with essential infrastructure, including cold storage units, fire posts, schools, police stations, clinics, pharmacies, banks, information centres, lorry terminals, and shopping malls.

The government has scheduled a town hall meeting for Sunday, April 19, at the University of Development Studies in Tamale, where appointees will outline key interventions implemented over the past year.