By Solomon Gumah
Tamale, Aug 25, GNA – Some equipment under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) have been handed over to the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Northern Region to facilitate the construction and maintenance of roads within their jurisdictions.
Each of the 16 MMDAs in the region received water tanker, backhoe, tipper truck, roller, motor grader, wheel loader and concrete mixer whilst the region also took delivery of six-wheel loaders, three bulldozers and three low beds bringing the total number of machineries to the region to 131.
The machinery was procured by the government for all the MMDAs across the country.
Ya-Na Asukari (II), Overlord of Dagbon Traditional Area, speaking during the handing over ceremony in Tamale, said the provision of the machinery was a bold step towards decentralising development.
He added that it would ensure that every part of the country received the benefits of prosperity and progress.
He underscored the significance of machinery in facilitating the construction and maintenance of roads, saying this would ultimately improve socio-economic activities and enhance access to education and health care services.
He urged the MMDAs to ensure that the machinery was put to good use to facilitate development, especially in the remote areas of the region.
Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, Northern Regional Minister, said the DRIP represented an unprecedented supply of road equipment to MMDAs in the country, adding that it was expected to create about 5,000 jobs.
He said: “This initiative by government is to empower MMDAs with the tools and resources needed to enhance road networks across the country. It is designed to address the pressing need for road maintenance and construction equipment in fostering sustainable improvement that will enhance connectivity and spur economic growth.”
He added: “With the implementation of DRIP, the Northern Region can now dream of improved road networks that would make life on our roads more comfortable, safer and efficient for passengers and for the transportation of goods and services.”
Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, Minister for Finance, said the DRIP initiative would enhance connectivity, stimulate local economy, facilitate trade, attract investment and ensure a more inclusive and prosperous governance.
He said the government, since January 2024, had invested GHc10 billion in the transportation sector, encompassing roads, railways and air transport.
Mr. Sule Salifu, Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive, who spoke on behalf of other MMDCEs, commended the government for procuring the machines and pledged that they would be used for their intended purposes.
GNA