District Road Improvement Programme launched
An initiative aimed at enhancing Ghana’s road network by decentralising road infrastructure development and addressing challenges facing metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies (MMDAs) across the country has been launched.
Dubbed; “District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP)”, it is designed to empower MMDAs with the resources and equipment necessary to rehabilitate and maintain roads within their various jurisdictions and effect meaningful changes.
As part of the initiative, 2,240 units of road equipment including motor graders, backhoes, rollers, wheel loaders, bulldozers, water tankers, concrete mixers, tipper trucks, low beds and other essential machinery were commissioned to be distributed to all MMDAs.
They were acquired through a collaboration between the District Assembly Common Fund (DACF) and the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development and will assist local assemblies to carry out essential maintenance tasks such as grading, gravelling, minor road improvements and construction drainage systems to improve access to social services.
The implementation of the project will be overseen by a four-member committee in each assembly including a technical officer from the Local Government Ministry, Ministry of Roads and Highways, 48 Engineers Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) under the chairmanship of the MMDCEs.
Their mandate will be to ensure the highest standard of quality and accountability in the execution of road projects.
It is expected to create jobs for about 10,000 local engineers and artisans in general.
Decentralisation
President Akufo-Addo said the event was proof of the determination of the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government to decentralise development and ensure that every corner of Ghana benefits from the progress and prosperity the nation strives to achieve.
He added that road infrastructure was the backbone of economic growth and social development because they connect communities facilitate trade, enable access to education and healthcare facilities and ultimately improve the quality of life for the entire citizenry.
“However, despite the considerable progress we have made, many of our roads particularly in the rural districts remain in deplorable condition hampering economic activities and development efforts but today we take a giant step in addressing these challenges,” he said.
The President further intimated that the machines were not merely tools but were instruments of change, enablers of progress and symbols of Ghana’s dedication to improving the lives of all Ghanaians.
The Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund, Irene Naa Torshie Addo-Lartey, said that as the founder of DRIP, the fund was committed to supporting the initiative to improve roads to facilitate the free movement of goods and services, enhancing transportation of farm produce, reduce post-harvest losses, open new markets for farmers thereby contributing to the overall improvement to the quality of life.
Local content, tracking
Joseph Siaw Agyapong, the Executive Chairman of the Jospong Group and the Head of JA Plant Pool Gh, the wholly owned Ghanaian company which facilitated the procurement of the equipment stated that a large number of the equipment were assembled locally, a process which led to the employment of about 2000 personnel and the 48 engineer regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces for technical support.
“Indeed, the opportunities created through this this programme are vast and we are looking at 5,000 individuals including drivers, operators, mechanics, welders, operators, janitors and many others,” he added.
He also stated that 32 mobile service vans equipped with tracking and telemarketing devices had been deployed to provide 24/7 real-time monitoring which will provide information on driver management, fuel usage and geofencing.
He added that there was a 24/7 hour call centre has been established to assist operators.