DRIP to boost Western Region's road infrastructure

The Western Region will take delivery of 110 pieces of road improvement equipment allocated to the region under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) to resolve road infrastructure challenges.

The equipment includes bulldozers, wheel loaders, concrete mixers, low beds, motor graders, water tankers, tipper trucks, backhoes, and rollers.

The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, at the launch of the construction equipment for MMDAs at Apremdo, near Takoradi, 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."

According to the rgional minister, DRIP is the largest investment ever made in the Local Government Sector, providing nearly 1,500 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."

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.

He 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 this equipment. "Adequate preparations have been made for the maintenance and fueling of the earth-moving equipment and to effectively resolve all the pending issues concerning the smooth implementation of the programme."

With regards to the training of operators and drivers, he 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, 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 centers, get rotten."

The equipment, he said, have been received at the right time; "it will open up certain routes, make some of the roads accessible, as well as make transportation easier for all, especially our traders."