Former President John Mahama has vowed that the National Democratic Congress (NDC) will reform the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) initiated by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government if they win the upcoming elections.
He criticised the current administration’s handling of the programme, describing it as a well-intentioned initiative that has been poorly executed.
At a media engagement in Sunyani, Bono Region, on September 11, 2024, concluding his three-day campaign tour, Mahama expressed his concerns about the programme’s implementation.
He pointed out that many regional roads must be more adequately constructed or completed.
Mahama also raised issues with the budgetary allocations for DRIP, arguing that the funds allocated are insufficient to meet the districts’ needs.
” You don’t introduce a large quantity of road equipment without employing operators. Many districts lack the necessary grader and roller operators, leaving the machinery idle. Moreover, there was no budget allocation for fuel,” he said.
Mahama outlined his plan for a more practical approach to DRIP if the NDC comes into power. “The concept is good but has not been well thought through. The equipment was brought in hastily for political purposes without proper organisation.
Should we win, we will refine the concept, advertise for and recruit operators, train them on maintenance, and ensure that district assemblies have the budget to operate the equipment. We will work with districts to identify priority roads and allocate the necessary funds to address them,” he emphasised.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo launched DRIP on July 31, 2024, as part of a flagship initiative to decentralise road infrastructure development and empower local authorities.
The programme is intended to improve the condition of rural roads, which are crucial for community connectivity, trade, and the overall quality of life for Ghanaians.
