By Hebrews Pouyeli Kumako
Denu township is fast becoming a traffic nightmare as unauthorised roadside trading and illegal vehicle loading points continue to overrun major streets, triggering growing anger among market women, transport operators, and residents.
Market women operating inside the main Denu Market have renewed their appeal to the Ketu South Municipal Assembly to urgently enforce relocation of traders selling along Selling Deyi and adjoining roads into the market, warning that continued inaction is endangering lives and livelihoods.
According to the traders, the situation has been worsened by commercial drivers and transport operators who have created unauthorised loading and offloading points along busy roads, turning key sections of the Denu Market into permanent congestion zones.
“Drivers stop anywhere to load passengers, traders spread onto the road, and nothing is controlled,” a market woman told News Volta. “We are sitting on a disaster.”
Transport operators who spoke to News Volta admitted that the absence of strict enforcement has encouraged indiscipline.
“There is no proper control,” a commercial driver said. “Everyone creates their own loading point because no one checks us.”
The combination of roadside stalls, parked vehicles, and illegal loading points has narrowed road space, making movement difficult for private cars, commercial vehicles, and pedestrians—particularly during peak market day and hours.
Residents fear that the congestion could lead to serious accidents, especially involving schoolchildren, elderly residents, and traders crossing the road to pull customers.
Market women say the disorder has also created unfair competition, as traders operating illegally outside attract customers while those inside the market, who pay tolls and comply with regulations, struggle to survive.
“We obey the rules, yet we suffer,” another trader lamented. “Those breaking the law are rewarded.”
The women expressed frustration at what they described as prolonged neglect and weak leadership by municipal authorities, despite repeated appeals and the availability of vacant stalls inside the Denu Market.
They insist that relocating roadside traders and regulating transport loading points will restore order, improve safety, and make the market more attractive to customers and investors.
“The solution is simple,” one trader said. “Use the market, enforce the rules, and stop the chaos.”
Residents and drivers alike are calling on the Ketu South Municipal Assembly, the Municipal Security Council, and the Police to act decisively before the congestion escalates into a major safety crisis.
For now, Denu Market remains gridlocked—caught between poor enforcement, unchecked roadside trading, and uncontrolled transport operations—while traders and commuters wait for leadership to act.
Source News Volta
