President John Dramani Mahama has on Thursday announced that equipment acquired under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) will be reorganised into regional mobile maintenance units to provide emergency road works in the regions.
The initiative, launched by the government in 2024 is set to empower Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with the tools and resources needed to enhance road networks across the country.
The MMDAs under the programme, had taken delivery of state-of-the-art road construction and maintenance equipment to ensure that road projects were completed efficiently and to the highest standards.
But, in his maiden State of the Nation Address (SONA 2025) since he assumed the rein of the state on January 7, this year, President Mahama announced plans by the government to reorganise the DRIP Programme into regional mobile maintenance units to provide emergency road works in the regions at a time some of the roads in both the urban and rural areas were riddled with potholes and other road defects.
DRIP was launched at the Black Star Square in Accra on July 31, last year by former President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, witnessed to mark the beginning of a new era in Ghana’s road infrastructural development.
One of the standout features of DRIP-2024 was its potential to create approximately 4,480 direct jobs ranging from operators and mechanics to support staff and management roles.
In addition to job creation, the programme seeks to provide extensive training in mechanical engineering, hydraulic systems, and electronic systems diagnosis, ensuring a skilled workforce capable of maintaining and operating the new equipment.
Improved road infrastructure is a catalyst for economic growth. By enhancing connectivity, DRIP-2024 will enable local entrepreneurs to establish and grow businesses, increasing access to markets and boosting agricultural productivity.
Farmers will benefit from better transportation routes, reducing post-harvest losses and expanding their reach to urban markets.
This will not only increase incomes but also enhance food security across the nation.
BY TIMES REPORTER
