The Regional Coordinator for the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) in the Upper East Region, Osman Musah, has issued a stern warning against the possible misuse of vehicles and equipment allocated under the program.
He emphasized that these vehicles and equipment are intended strictly for improving road networks across the region and are not to be diverted for activities such as illegal mining, commonly known as galamsey.
Speaking at a recent training session for operators and drivers in Bolgatanga, Mr. Musah highlighted the critical role that the equipment, including backhoes, tipper trucks, motor graders, water tankers, and other machinery, will play in enhancing the region’s infrastructure. He made it clear that any attempt to use these resources for unauthorized activities, including farm work or galamsey, would be met with severe consequences.
“The vehicles and equipment provided under the DRIP are meant to serve the people of the Upper East Region by improving our road networks,” Mr. Musah stated. “These machines are not to be used for galamsey or any other activities that are not part of the road improvement agenda. We will be closely monitoring their use, and any deviations will be dealt with accordingly.”
The warning comes as the government and various stakeholders intensify efforts to combat illegal mining, which has caused significant environmental degradation and posed serious threats to livelihoods in many parts of Ghana.
The DRIP initiative, facilitated by the Jospong Group of Companies, has seen the procurement and distribution of 2,240 units of road equipment, with the Upper East Region receiving 117 pieces of the equipment, which were distributed to all its 15 assemblies. A two-day training, organized by Zoomlion Ghana Limited, a subsidiary of the Jospong Group, was designed to equip drivers and operators with the necessary skills to handle the machinery effectively and ensure they are used for their intended purpose.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1Mhz | Joshua Asaah | Bolgatanga
