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There is no programme or inventory of the DRIP machines – Ahmed Ibrahim

Ahmed Ibrahim, the Minister-Designate for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, has raised concerns about the lack of proper documentation and oversight for the Direct Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP).

During his vetting before Parliament’s Appointments Committee on Tuesday, Mr. Ibrahim disclosed that the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development has no records or inventory for the machines procured under the initiative, which was launched to improve road infrastructure nationwide.

“Workers in the Ministry of Local Government watching me would testify that they have no records of any agreement for the DRIP project and no programme or inventory of the DRIP machines,” he explained. “This is a challenge because the machines were procured through the Office of the President, and that has created problems.”

The DRIP initiative, introduced by former President Nana Akufo-Addo on July 31, 2024, was designed to tackle the worsening state of roads across Ghana’s 275 constituencies. However, Mr. Ibrahim highlighted significant gaps in its management.

“There is no management contract, no spare parts available, and no committees have been established to oversee the machines,” he said.

Despite these challenges, Mr. Ibrahim expressed his determination to address the issues and ensure the programme achieves its intended purpose.

“We are committed to ensuring that the DRIP programme materialises and delivers on its promise of enhanced road infrastructure in all districts,” he assured.

He further stressed the importance of transparency and efficiency in using resources allocated to the initiative. “It is crucial that the equipment and resources allocated to this programme are used for their intended purpose, and we will closely monitor its execution to ensure that roads are built to the highest standards,” Mr. Ibrahim added.

The minister-designate’s revelations underscore the need for stronger oversight mechanisms to maximise the benefits of such critical national projects.

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