DRIP Project: We will supply gravel, sand, fuel and pay GH¢1m into the accounts of every assembly – Deputy minister

The Deputy Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has given more details on the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), a nationwide initiative to improve road conditions in all 275 constituencies.

Speaking in an interview on Neat FM on Thursday, August 1, 2024, Ekow Assafuah said that in addition to all the road construction equipment given to all the district assemblies in the country, the government would also provide gravel, sand, and all other inputs needed to fix roads in the districts.

He added that the government would fuel the equipment and pay each district assembly GH¢1 million, which is to be used to implement the programme.

“It is the responsibility of the central government to provide the fuel not even for just one year but after the one year. Apart from that, we are going to provide gravel, sand and other materials even though at their own local level if they have resources and some roads need urgent fixing, they can commit their resources.

“Apart from that, the government is also going to pay an amount of GH¢1 million into the account of each assembly from next week to be able to support the construction and maintenance of their roads,” he said.

The deputy minister, who is also the Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, also clarified that the drivers of the construction equipment provided by the government, as well as the road contractors engaged to fix roads, would be paid by the districts using the resources the government will provide.

“They are going to be paid by the assemblies because it is part of the resources we are giving them.”

About the DRIP:

Led by the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development, DRIP will address the Ministry of National Security's concerns about poor road conditions being a significant national security threat.

At a colourful ceremony at Independence Square on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo commissioned 2,240 units of state-of-the-art road equipment, marking a major boost to the country's road infrastructure.

The equipment included a diverse fleet of trucks and equipment, including water tankers, backhoes, motor graders, rollers, tipper trucks, concrete mixers, and bulldozers.

The equipment was acquired through a Ghana-China collaboration and was distributed to all Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

President Akufo-Addo emphasized his government’s commitment to decentralising development and transforming road networks across Ghana while acknowledging the progress made and the need for more to be done.

President Akufo-Addo thanked China for their partnership, aiming to improve Ghanaians’ lives. He assured the nation that his government remains dedicated to improving road infrastructure, promoting connectivity, and driving prosperity.

Watch the deputy minister’s remarks in the video below:



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