All the 16 regions in Ghana have been hailing President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s District Road Implementation Project (DRIP) as a visionary flagship initiative that will help improve the country’s road infrastructure.
Government officials in these regions have been receiving and outdooring the comprehensive fleet of 2,240 pieces of equipment, including motor graders, backhoes, rollers, wheel loaders, bulldozers, tipper trucks, concrete mixers, water tankers, and low beds, which were unveiled by President Akufo-Addo in Accra about three weeks ago.
These machines are expected to play a crucial role in the nationwide improvement of road network as well as strengthen decentralization and empower local authorities.
The initiative, in addressing the deplorable state of many rural roads across the country, will also promote community connection and trade.
The Upper West Regional Minister, Mr. Stephen Yakubu, lauded President Akufo-Addo for his visionary leadership in implementing the DRIP across the country.
The President recently unveiled the equipment as part of government’s responsiveness to the needs of Ghanaians, particularly in road infrastructure.
During the reception and inauguration of the DRIP equipment for the Upper West Region, the Regional Minister commended the Akufo-Addo government for this “bold initiative.”
“This is a fulfillment of our ‘Year of Roads’ promise,’” Yakubu declared, expressing relief that the equipment arrived at a critical time, given the poor condition of roads in the Upper West Region.
Mr. Yakubu gave assurance to the general public that the equipment would be utilised effectively and deployed immediately to districts to begin roadwork without delay.
Acting Regional Coordinator of the DRIP, Mr. Venantius Kuundri, stated that J.A Plant Pool, a sister company of the Jospong Group of Companies, would monitor and maintain the equipment across Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
“In collaboration with the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) and local assemblies, strict maintenance protocols would be adhered to, ensuring equipment longevity.
“Spare parts would be stocked regionally to address issues promptly,” he stressed.
The Upper West Region, comprising 11 municipal and district assemblies, received 106 pieces of equipment under the DRIP initiative aimed at improving road construction and infrastructure in the region.
‘DRIP To Boost Western Region Road Infrastructure’
The Western Region is expected to take delivery of 110 pieces of road improvement equipment under the DRIP to resolve road infrastructure challenges.
At the launch of the construction equipment for MMDAs at Apremdo, near Takoradi yesterday, the Western Regional Minister, Mr. Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, explained that the President’s vision goes beyond just constructing roads.
“DRIP is about creating a connected and thriving Ghana, where every district, no matter how remote, feels the impact of progress. This initiative would ensure the progress and prosperity of the country at the local level,” he stated.
According to him, DRIP is the largest investment ever made in the Local Government Sector, providing over 2,000 equipment to MMDAs across the country.
“This is a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to improving local infrastructure by giving Local Authorities the tools they need to effect meaningful change in their local communities,” Mr. Okyere Darko-Mensah reiterated.
8,000 Jobs
The DRIP project is expected to create nearly 8,000 direct jobs, stimulate local economic development, reduce post-harvest losses, since farmers will have improved roads to transport their farm produce to market, and improve general service delivery across the country.
Mr Okyere Darko-Mensah assured the MMDAs that the Western Regional Co-ordinating Council, seized with the mandate to co-ordinate the activities of MMDAs in the region, will closely monitor the effective utilization of the equipment.
“Adequate preparations have been made for the maintenance and fuelling of the earth-moving equipment and to effectively resolve all the pending issues concerning the smooth implementation of the programme,” the Regional Minister emphasised.
With regards to the training of operators and drivers, Mr. Okyere Darko-Mensah mentioned that 30 participants from each MMDA will receive training on the use of these machines.
In all, 420 operators and drivers will be trained for the region.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) of Mpohor District of the Western Region, Mr. Ignatius Assah Mensah, lauded the government for this initiative, saying, “this will bring a total transformation in the district.”
He explained that the district had no tarred road until recently, when government awarded the road on contract.
“Work has already started; there are many roads in my district which are in deplorable state, and this affects our traders because crops and other vegetables, which are supposed to be transported to the markets and other urban centres, get rotten,” Mr. Assah Mensah added.
The equipment, he noted, have been received at the right time as “it will open up certain routes, make some of the roads accessible, as well as make transportation easier for all, especially our traders.”
