Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister nominee for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, has promised to fully implement the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP) launched by the previous New Patriotic Party (NPP) administration.
He stated this during his appearance before the vetting committee on Tuesday, January 21, 2025.
The nominee claimed that several obstacles are impeding the programme’s success.
He informed the committee that the local government had not been involved in the procurement process.
The situation he described has created challenges such as a lack of management contracts for the machines and a scarcity of spare parts, which have slowed the program’s progress, he added.
He expressed hope that the DRIP program would eventually come to fruition with careful planning and coordination.
“If given the nod, we will work together to make sure that the DRIP project is materialised because the machines were procured to improve upon district roads that were not tarred and much money was used so you cannot use such an amount and allow it to go to waste
“Whether we like it or not, the machines have been procured and we must put them to good use, therefore, there must be proper structures, proper agreement, proper monitoring and systems to make sure that we make good use of the machines that we procured.”
Meanwhile, the nominee has stated that delayed releases of the DACF have affected successive administrations.
“Whether you win or lose elections, you pay the price,” he said. “A government that wants to win elections must ensure District Chief Executives (DCEs) are resourced to work.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
