The District Road Programme (DRIP) was commissioned in the Adaklu District of the Volta Region. The event took place at the forecourt of the Adaklu District Assembly.
Speaking at the event, the District Chief Executive of Adaklu, Hon. Zuh Walter Wogbemase, stated that the provision of the equipment would help improve the road networks in the district. According to him, the assembly received one roller, one tipper truck, one grader, a backhoe, one water tanker, and two concrete mixers, with two more to be added later. The region was divided into three parts to share other equipment, such as four bulldozers and three loaders, according to the Volta Regional DRIP Coordinator, George Kofi Boateng.
The DCE also used the occasion to urge the operators not to use the equipment for political purposes or any other purpose aside from the one for which it was provided by the government. He assured the chiefs, leaders, and people of Adaklu that the equipment would be used for its intended purpose—improving the district’s road networks.
The Volta Regional DRIP Coordinator, George Kofi Boateng, who represented the Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Yaw Archibald Letsa, informed the gathering that road issues are of great concern to President H.E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, who is also the current presidential flagbearer for the NPP. He addressed the misconception that the DRIP program equipment was procured using the Member of Parliament (MP) Common Fund, clarifying that the program is an initiative of the President and was funded by the government.
Mr. Boateng also assured the chiefs, queen mothers, and attendees that, just as the President has been building roads across the country, he considered it necessary to improve inner-city roads and farm roads to enhance food accessibility.
According to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, DRIP-2024 aims to provide Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with state-of-the-art equipment and technical training to improve their capacity for road maintenance and construction. By equipping local authorities with these vital resources, the program ensures that road projects are completed efficiently and to the highest standards. The resulting improvements in road quality and connectivity will facilitate better access to essential services, markets, and economic opportunities.
One of the standout features of DRIP-2024 is its potential to create approximately 4,480 direct jobs. These positions, ranging from operators and mechanics to support staff and management roles, will offer valuable employment opportunities, particularly for the youth. In addition to job creation, the program will provide extensive training in mechanical engineering, hydraulic systems, and electronic systems diagnosis, ensuring a skilled workforce capable of maintaining and operating the new equipment.
By Desmond Tinana
