The introduction of the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP) will significantly accelerate the construction and expansion of road networks across the country.
This is because the government has fulfilled its promise of distributing road improvement equipment to all Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies across the country.
At the launch of the DRIP in the Ashanti Region last Friday in Kumasi, Mr Osei-Mensah noted that the project aligns with the government’s vision of leveraging infrastructure to promote economic growth, particularly in rural areas.
The Minister further explained that the project would enhance rural residents’ access to markets, which, would, in turn, improve their livelihoods.
According to the Minister, the project is expected to create jobs, reduce transportation costs and boost the region’s overall competitiveness.
Mr Osei-Mensah urged the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to ensure the effective use of the equipment, stressing the importance of adhering to a good maintenance culture.
He issued a stern warning against using the equipment for personal interests, such as illegal mining, stating that anyone found guilty would face the appropriate consequences.
“Each piece of equipment is fitted with built-in trackers, so it will not be difficult to trace anyone attempting to misuse them for personal business,” he cautioned.
The Mayor of Kumasi, Mr Samuel Pyne, acknowledged that, despite the government’s commendable efforts in road construction, the country still faced a deficit in this sector, a situation that adversely affects food prices and access to healthcare and other social services.
The Chief of Asante Asiakwa, Obrempong Asiakwa Agyeman Agyei, reiterated that the DRIP is intended solely for government purposes, urging MMDCEs to refrain from using the equipment to serve their interests.
Bala Ali, ISD
