The National Coordinator of the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), Nii Lantey Vanderpuye, has cautioned Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) against renting out DRIP equipment or charging residents for its use in road rehabilitation projects.
Speaking on Channel One TV’s Breakfast Daily on Friday, May 15, Vanderpuye stressed that the equipment deployed under the programme is strictly meant to support community road improvement works and not for commercial activities.
According to him, assemblies have no authority to impose charges on residents for the use of DRIP machines to reshape and restore roads within their communities. He explained that the programme was introduced to improve deteriorating roads and not as a revenue-generating venture for assemblies.
“The DRIP equipment is not for rental. Under no circumstances should anybody rent out DRIP equipment. The assemblies cannot charge anybody for using the DRIP equipment for restoring their roads,” he stated.
Mr Vanderpuye, however, indicated that communities may voluntarily support assemblies with resources such as fuel if they wish to facilitate road works in their areas. He further clarified that the DRIP initiative is focused on improving and reshaping existing roads and not the construction of new roads.
