The Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong, recently presented two hundred and forty-one (241) out of three hundred and six (306) of the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP) equipment to all the thirty-three (33) Municipal and District Assemblies in the region. This event occurred on August 23, at the Jubilee Park in Koforidua to the region.
This distribution is part of the District Road Network Improvement Program (DRIP), which aims to enhance road infrastructure in the Municipalities and Districts in the Eastern Region. The equipment included sixty-three (63) tipper trucks, thirty-three (33) backhoes, thirty-three (33) rollers, thirty-three (33) motor graders, thirty-three (33) water tankers, six (6) wheel loaders, three (3) bulldozers, ninety-nine (99) concrete mixers, and three (3) low-bed trucks, totaling three hundred and six (306).
The Hon. Regional Minister emphasized that these vehicles would significantly boost the Assemblies’ capabilities to maintain and upgrade the road network within their District/Municipal. He highlighted that the improved roads would enhance safety, accessibility, and reliability throughout the region, regardless of the season.
Hon. Acheampong stressed on the importance of using these resources efficiently and effectively. He added that the success of DRIP hinged on the Assemblies’ commitment to diligently maintain and responsibly manage the equipment.
He also expressed gratitude to the stakeholders involved in the program, including the Ministry of Local Government, Ministry of Roads and Highways, Common Fund Secretariat, Ghana Armed Forces, and JA Plant Pool, for their dedication to national development.
The Hon. Regional Minister urged the Assemblies to engage with local communities to identify their needs and prioritize road projects to make great impact.
Ms. Sophia Kudjordzi, Chief Corporate Communications Officer for the Jospong Group of Companies and a representative of JA Plantpool, the service provider of DRIP, noted that the equipment was assembled in Ghana with the support of the 48 Engineering Regiment of the Ghana Armed Forces. She highlighted the significant employment opportunities created by the program, with JA Plantpool planning to recruit over five thousand (5,000) workers, including drivers, operators, mechanics, and other skill holders. She said this initiative was expected to support economic growth and provide valuable skills and stable employment for Ghanaians.
Ms. Kudjordzi also mentioned that Mobile Service vans, equipped with specialized tools and trained technicians, would offer 24/7 services for DRIP equipment. She said these vans would be strategically positioned in all the thirty-three (33) Municipalities and Districts to ensure comprehensive after-sales service and routine maintenance of the equipment. Additionally, she said the company employs tracking and telematics devices for real-time monitoring of driver management, fuel usage, and geofencing. Thus they have established a state-of-the-art call center to manage equipment tracking and address complaints across all the districts efficiently.
The ceremony was attended by Municipal/District Chief Executives, Municipal/District Co-ordinating Directors, Regional Heads of Departments and Units, Institutions, and the general public.
HANDING OVER OF DISTRICT ROAD IMPROVEMENT PROJECT (DRIP) EQUIPMENT TO THE THIRTY-THREE (33) MUNICIPAL AND DISTRICT ASSEMBLIES IN THE EASTERN REGION.
Posted in Events, General News.