The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Letsa has indicated that some 90 key roads in his jurisdiction would see a facelift under the District Road Network Improvement Programme (DRIP).

He explained that five key roads would be given priority in each of the 18 districts and municipalities in the first phase of implementing programme.

He announced this at the Ho Jubilee Park, during the commissioning of a total of 156 construction machines allocated to the Volta Region, under the DRIP.

“Priority will be given to 5 key roads in each district to be considered for reshaping and graveling. When necessary, we will mobilize resources from all adjoining districts to attend to a major project in a particular district”, he said.

The DRIP was designed to improve road infrastructure by providing construction equipment and Human Resources at the local governance level.

This would lead to increased accessibility, improve the agriculture value chain, curb post-harvest losses, create jobs, and ultimately lead to economic growth.

Dr. Letsa said 3 bulldozers, 18 backhoes, 6 wheel loaders, 18 motor graders, 18 water tankers, 18 rollers, 18 tipper trucks, 36 concrete mixers, 3 lowbeds, and 18 pick-ups have been allocated to the region under the programme.

He added that the region has been divided into northern, central, and southern zones, to ensure equitable distribution, effective monitoring, and management of the equipment.

He, therefore, urged stakeholders to eschew politics and collaborate towards the success of the programme.

“Hon. Municipal and District Chief Executives, the DRIP is heavily reliant on your unbiased execution of the mandate given you and your District DRIP Management Team as well as key staff. I urge you to make efficient use of this opportunity to develop your districts and better the lives of the citizenry.

“I also urge the Presiding Members to support the Programme and with the Assembly Members ensure the uniform development of your Electoral Areas. We are all to serve as checks on each other, discuss issues, and not take entrenched positions on issues to ensure the smooth implementation of the District Road Improvement Programme”, he said.

The District Chief Executive for Central Tongu, Moore Zormenya said the DRIP initiative would contribute to economic development.

The District Chief Executive for North Dayi, Kudjoh Atta was elated about the provision of the machines, explaining that it would contribute to opening up his District, which heavily depends on agriculture.

He also highlighted the improvement of the local economy through the implementation of DRIP, and in effect, enhancing livelihoods.

“When you talk about, for example, people who go to farms and they will have to cart their farm produce to the markets, if you don't have a good road network, how are they going to do this?

“And so this has an everlasting effect and then a well-connected effect. It is going to affect every aspect of our local economy of the various districts”, he stressed.

The Paramount Chief of Abutia, Togbe Abutia Kodzo lauded the zeal to whip in check Chief Executives who would not put the machines to use and lauded the Akufo-Addo-Bawumia-led-government on the initiative.

JA Plant Pool Ghana Limited, which is a partner of the DRIP, would provide maintenance and the necessary support to ensure the machines are always in good shape.