DRIP equipment being utilised despite challenges with procuring fuel in Western Region

Several suburbs within the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan area in the Western Region have begun reaping the benefits of the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP).

Despite a delay in the release of funds for fuel, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) are finding alternative ways to keep the road rehabilitation machinery running.

The Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly for instance has commenced reshaping of the Eshiem road, a crucial transportation route for farmers in Eshiem and nearby rural communities which span approximately 8 kilometers.

It facilitates the movement of farm produce and finished products from companies such as Plot 5 Cocoa Processing and Good Will Ceramic LTD as it passes through the Free Zone Enclave.

However, for some years now, it had been in a very deplorable state, resulting in agitations by the communities.

The DRIP initiative therefore comes as a relief to them. Public Relations Officer of the Sekondi Takoradi Metropolitan Assembly, John Laste disclosed that the Assembly is yet to receive its full complement of machines. He says the Assembly is currently providing funds to fuel and mobilize the machines.

“Government funds to fuel the machines are not in yet, so we are currently relying on the suppliers of the machines to fuel the machines. Already, we have started works on the Eshiem road and from there we have itemized some crucial roads that we will work on to ease vehicular traffic on our main roads,” he assured.

Effia Kwesimintsim Municipality is facing similar challenges, according to Municipal Chief Executive, Kojo Acquah. The Assembly has been using Internally Generated Funds (IGF) to fuel machinery, as they await support from the central government to fund the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP).

“We were told there will be funds from central government with the Municipalities and District Assemblies having GHC1 million, the funds are not in yet, but we were assured we will get half of the money by next week,” he said.
Despite the financial strain, the Assembly has commenced reshaping prioritized roads.

 

By Stephen Cudjoe

The post DRIP equipment being utilised despite challenges with procuring fuel in Western Region first appeared on 3News.

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