DRIP Equipment Fuel Provided By Govt MP

Authorities at the Municipal and District Assemblies have been advised against demanding money from communities to fuel the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP) equipment to work on their roads.

Minister for Employment and Labour Relations, Ignatius Bafour Awuah, gave the warning during the unveiling of the Sunyani West District DRIP equipment witnessed by traditional authorities from Odumase, Fiapre, Nsoatre, Chiraa, and other communities within the Sunyani West District.

He said as part of the project, the government in collaboration with JA Plant Pool has already provided funds to fuel the DRIP equipment to build roads in the various districts and communities.

Mr. Bafour Awuah who doubled as Member of Parliament for Sunyani West Constituency revealed that the government released GHcent;1.2m for the Sunyani West District for fuel for the equipment for the community road improvement.

“You are not to charge communities for fuel. I am very serious about it,” he said.

He further urged the Bono Regional Minister, Justina Awo Owusu Banahene, to ensure all MMDCEs comply with the directive not to demand fuel from communities for fixing the roads.

“We should discourage that as much as possible. They should make sure the project funds are used for it,” he stressed.

The MP urged the chiefs within the area to require accountability from the assembly of their road as the district took delivery of two tipper trucks, one water tanker, two construction mixers, one roller, one backhoe, and one motor grader out of 96 earthmoving equipment allocated to the Bono region.

JA Plant Pool coordinator, Samuel Abasiye, explained that drivers who will operate the machines are from the local communities, trained, and will commence work immediately.

Madam Owusu Banahene suggested that the District Assemblies form committees comprising relevant stakeholders including Nananom to monitor the progress of work.

She underscored the DRIP project saying it is going to open up communities and will help to improve health delivery because ambulance services and even fire tenders can easily go to underserved communities.