The National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has dismissed claims that DRIP machines are not being used for their intended purposes.
According to him, the machines are operating effectively and are being closely monitored by the secretariat.
Speaking on The Big Agenda on Adom TV, he revealed that over 1,000 kilometres of roads have been reshaped nationwide using the DRIP equipment.
“I cannot tell the exact number of roads we’ve been able to reshape because we are still compiling our data, and districts continue to undertake road reshaping regularly. However, based on the statistics currently available to me, over 1,000 kilometres have been reshaped nationwide,” he said.
The former Member of Parliament for the Odododiodio Constituency explained that the initiative initially faced challenges because it was rushed and lacked proper coordination. He noted that the programme has now become more efficient and effective due to close monitoring and improved coordination under his leadership.
Addressing allegations that some of the machines were being rented out for illegal mining (galamsey), he described the claims as false. He said his office immediately initiated investigations after the matter was brought to his attention.
According to him, findings showed that in Obuasi West, the Municipal Assembly transported mining tailings from the AngloGold site to rehabilitate a badly damaged road in the district. However, residents who saw heavy equipment at the location assumed it was being used for illegal mining.
He also dismissed another report from the Central Region alleging a similar galamsey-related incident, describing it as inaccurate.
Providing further clarification, Mr. Vanderpuye said the Regional Security Council, together with the Regional Coordinating Council, had moved a machine to Upper Denkyira for land reclamation purposes. He alleged that suspected illegal miners attacked the team and set the equipment ablaze.
He added that the police have launched investigations into the incident and assured that anyone found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
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