The DRIP is an ambitious undertaking by the Government aimed at improving road networks throughout the country, and each district is being allotted a set of heavy-duty road equipment.

The Regional Minister, at a ceremony at the Ho Jubilee Park to launch the DRIP in the Region, said all must work in ensuring the communities benefited from the social intervention.

The Region received 151 road construction equipment comprising bulldozers, backhoes, wheel loaders, motor graders, water takers, rollers, and tipper trucks distributed evenly among the districts and municipalities.

Three low-bed trucks for conveying the equipment were provided and each district would receive a pickup truck.

The implementation has a broad stakeholder base that includes the Government and its partners as well as various related Ministries and the Regional Coordinating Council, and the Regional Minister entreated all including the public to help ensure the successful realisation of the programme.

Municipal and District Chief Executives in the Region were at the commissioning and were charged to oversee the programme’s implementation in their respective jurisdictions, while other stakeholders including members of the Assemblies were asked to maintain checks and support the programme.

“Honourable Municipal and District Chief Executives, the DRIP is heavily reliant on your unbiased execution of the mandate given you and your District Drip Management Teams as well as key staff. I urge you to make efficient use of this opportunity to develop your districts and better the lives of the citizenry.

I also urge the Presiding Members to support the programme and with the Assembly members to ensure the uniform development of your electoral areas.

“We are all to serve as checks on each other, discuss issues, and not take entrenched positions on issues to ensure the smooth implementation of the District Road Improvement Programme.

I entreat that technical advice should never be ignored or standards compromised to ensure quality and timely work is executed,” Dr. Letsa stated.

He said the Region was divided into three zones for equitable and fair distribution, monitoring and management of the equipment and projects.

Also, arrangements were being made for fuel and other logistics needed for the programme, and that fuel and maintenance depots would be established in at strategic locations.

Dr. Letsa assured the districts of security for the equipment and said mobile maintenance teams would be deployed to keep the programme in constant motion, and that training was ongoing for the various teams.

Traditional leaders present appreciated the government for the programme and pledged the support of the people.

Present at the launch were the heads of JA Plant Pool, the company that supplied the equipment.

Mr. Edmund Kudjoh Attah, District Chief Executive for South Dayi, said the programme offered huge relief to the District Assembly Common Fund, often consumed by road maintenance.

He said districts would be elevated and communities would improve in all aspects, and that with the support of all, the programme would provide everlasting relief.

Mr. Divine Bosson, Municipal Chief Executive for Ho, and who has been pursuing road construction and improvement in the Municipality under a programme he named the Road Train, said the DRIP was timely and that roads in all sections would receive attention. “Volta should expect more of our deplorable roads fixed,” he added.