Nairobi: Mr Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, the National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), has issued a stern warning to Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies regarding the misuse of DRIP equipment, emphasizing their exclusive use for public road development projects. "The DRIP equipment is meant for the development of our districts and must not be diverted for private commercial purposes," he stated.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Vanderpuye delivered this caution during a stakeholder engagement with Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs), Municipal and District Coordinating Directors, and DRIP Coordinators in the Volta Region on Monday. The meeting aimed to tackle operational challenges facing the programme and enhance coordination among stakeholders.
Discussions at the meeting emphasized accountability, effective management, and proper utilization of DRIP equipment to ensure efficient road maintenance and infrastructure improvement across districts in the region. Mr Vanderpuye urged coordinators and assembly heads to approach the programme with seriousness and commitment, noting that DRIP is a crucial intervention aimed at improving local road networks and supporting community development.
He further encouraged stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure that the programme achieved its intended objectives of improving access roads and enhancing socio-economic activities in communities. The National Coordinator also advised assemblies to prioritize regular maintenance and servicing of the machines to ensure their durability and efficiency.
The engagement concluded with an interactive session where participants raised concerns and sought clarification on operational and implementation issues related to the programme. Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, highlighted the need for transparency, accountability, and stronger collaboration between DRIP Coordinators and the various MDCEs.
He noted that effective cooperation among all stakeholders was essential to sustaining the programme and maximizing its impact on local development. Mr Gunu urged assemblies to safeguard the equipment and ensure that the machines were used responsibly for the benefit of communities across the region.