DRIP Boss decries neglect of construction equipment by local assemblies

The National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Edwin Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has raised alarm over the poor upkeep of heavy-duty construction equipment held by local assemblies, citing a lack of maintenance and proper storage infrastructure.

“Many of the machines are left under the sun and rain without any protection. I urge the assemblies to construct sheds to preserve these national assets urgently. Every piece of equipment must be cleaned and properly maintained,” Mr. Vanderpuye said.

The former Deputy Minister of Local Government and Rural Development made the remarks during the start of a nationwide equipment inspection tour. He was joined by officials from J.A. Plant Pool Ghana Ltd, one of the country’s key suppliers of construction machinery.

The inspection aims to assess the condition and readiness of equipment ahead of the programme’s full-scale rollout in 2025. Initial stops included the Obuasi East and Obuasi West municipal assemblies in the Ashanti Region.

During the tour, Mr. Vanderpuye urged DRIP coordinators and machine operators to show greater care and professionalism in managing the machinery entrusted to them. He emphasised that safeguarding government investments must be treated as a shared responsibility.

The ongoing exercise forms part of a broader DRIP agenda focused on enhancing accountability, operational efficiency, and long-term sustainability. The programme is a flagship initiative aimed at improving road infrastructure in districts using locally assembled construction equipment.

As the inspection tour continues across other regions in the coming weeks, preparations are being intensified to ensure smooth execution of next year’s projects.

Accompanying Mr. Vanderpuye on the tour were Deputy Director-General of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), Samuel Aboagye, and Ashanti Regional Liaison Officer for J.A. Plant Pool Ghana Ltd, Ebenezer Danquah.