The Mampong Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti region has organised a short ceremony to outdoor District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) equipment it had received from the government to help in the reshaping of deplorable roads in the municipality.
The equipment included 2 Tipper Trucks, 1 Water Tanker, 1 Motor Grader, and 1Wheel Loader. Others are 3 Concrete Mixers and 1 Back Hoe. The rest are 1 Roller, 20 Barrels and 20 Wheel Barrows.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony on Monday 16th September 2024, the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Mampong, Thomas Appiah Kubi said the DRIP machines would be of tremendous support to the assembly in its quest to help in the maintenance of poor roads in the municipality particularly in rural communities.
He pointed out that most of the roads in the municipality especially town roads have been put in good shape by the government. He, however, said there are some other roads particularly in the rural areas which are in poor state that need improvement.
According to the MCE, the DRIP would serve as a game changer in road improvement in the municipality, adding that, the assembly had struggled with budget constraints to meet the road network needs of most communities in the municipality. He was hopeful that with the DRIP, the assembly would be able to do some road works like spot improvement and road gravelling.
Regarding maintenance of the equipment, Mr. Appiah-Kubi disclosed that a committee has been set up to not only ensure its maintenance but also safeguard it as well as ensure that the equipment is used for its intended purpose.
He, however, entreated the people in the municipality to also support the assembly in protecting the equipment by furnishing it with relevant information relating to its purported misused or unauthorized movement and stealing.
The MCE commended the President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo and the Vice-President, Alhaji Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia for taken such a bold step to help in addressing the challenges with the road network in the country.
“In fact, the government has done so much as far as roads is concerned. The DRIP programme is an ample testimony of government’s commitment to addressing the challenges we are facing in the country in the road sector”, the MCE stated.
He assured that the government would continue to undertake road construction in the country especially the major road projects, adding that, the DRIP is to help District Assemblies to tackle some minor road activities to ensure that all our roads become at least accessible.
On his part, the Mamponghene and President of Mampong Traditional Council, Daasebre Osei Bonsu II urged people who would be operating the equipment to take personal interest in the equipment by preventing the abusive use, and work conscientiously to ensure that the equipment is used for the intended purpose and prolong its lifespan.
Present at the ceremony included the Municipal Coordinating Director (MCD), Mr. Mumuni Mohammed, Heads of Department, staff of the Mampong Municipal Assembly, Constituency Executives and supporters of NPP, Nananom, the Presiding Member of the Mampong Municipal Assembly, Daniel Oduro, the Assembly members, the clergy and the media.
