DRIP to boost local economy – Oti Regional Minister

Deputy Superintendent of Prison (DSP), Mr Daniel Machator (Rtd), the Oti Regional Minister has handed over construction equipment under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) to Municipal and District Assemblies in the Oti Region.The equipment includes, wheel loaders, concrete mixtures, low beds, bulldozers, motor graders, water tanks, tipper trucks, backhoes and rollers.He said the DRIP initiative would enhance connectivity, stimulate local economy, facilitate trade, attract investment and ensure a more inclusive and prosperous governance.Mr. Machator said, 'One District per set of construction equipment' is the government's flagship programme aimed at decentralizing road infrastructure network to all Metropolitan, Municipal and District (MMDAs) assemblies across the country.Speaking during the inauguration of the DRIP at Dambai, the capital of Oti Region, he explained that the programme was expected to boost local economy prospects and help reduce post-harvest losses associated with bad road networks since farmers and commuters will have improved roads to transport their farm produce to the market and enhance the general local economy.'In alleviating the adversity faced by citizens, government has instituted several measures to get the economy to bounce back,' he told the gathering.He stressed that each of the District and Municipal Assemblies in the Oti Region would receive a caravan of heavy equipment, which include dump track, backhoe, concrete mixture, roller, bulldozer, tipper truck, and motor grader.The minister urged the MDAs to ensure that the machinery was put to good use to facilitate development, especially in the remote areas of the region.Receiving the equipments on behalf of the MDAs, Mr Nkrumah Akwasi Ogyile, the Dean of MDAs, expressed gratitude to the government for the initiatives.Speaking during the handing over ceremony, he said the provision of the machinery was a bold decision towards decentralizing development in the area.He assured that the MDAs would ensure ev ery part of their vicinity received the benefits of prosperity and progress.Source: Ghana News Agency