The government has launched a new set of road construction equipment in Tamale, the capital of the Northern Region.
The multi-billion-cedi initiative, headlined by Minister for Finance and Member of Parliament (MP) for the Karaga Constituency, Dr. Mohammed Amin Adam, aims to boast road infrastructure in Ghana and further expand the economy.
Dr. Amin Adam has disclosed that government is investing over GH¢17 billion in roads alone this year, demonstrating its commitment to enhancing rural and urban connectivity and driving equitable growth throughout the country.
He highlighted the government’s robust investment strategy, which includes over GH¢10 billion allocated in the first two quarters of the year and an additional GH¢7 billion is planned for the remainder of the year.
Setting the records straight on some recent claims, Dr. Amin Adam clarified that the equipment was not funded through the MPs’ Common Fund but rather through treasury bills to the contractor, which were used to secure bank loans to procure the equipment.
He stressed that this investment will significantly improve road access for farmers and rural communities, facilitating easier transportation of goods to city centres.
Deputy Minister of Roads and Highways, Mr. Thomas Mbomba, underscored the importance of decentralising road construction to bridge disparities between rural and urban areas.
Yaa Naa Abukari II with government officials
He urged the Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) to utilise the equipment effectively to maximise benefits for Ghanaians.
His Royal Majesty, Yaa Na Abukari II, the Overlord of Dagbon, expressed deep satisfaction with the launch and extended gratitude to the government for its dedication to improving road infrastructure.
He emphasised that the initiative represents a crucial step in supporting economic growth and development across Ghana’s districts.
131 new equipment
The Northern Regional Minister, Alhassan Saani Saibu, noted the exceptional benefits the initiative brings to the Northern Region, which will now receive 131 new pieces of equipment, including water tankers, backhoes, rollers, wheel loaders, concrete mixers, tipper trucks, and more.
According to him, this development will create 400 direct jobs and enhance the region’s road network substantially.
Mr. Munkaila Mohammed, Northern Regional Private Business Manager of Zoomlion, representing JA Plant Pool, addressed the durbar of chiefs and people, highlighting the collaboration of key stakeholders, including the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation and Rural Development (MLGDRD), Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), and JA Plant Pool.
He noted that the partnership will ensure rigorous monitoring and maintenance of the equipment, facilitated by the deployment of telematics devices for tracking and fuel efficiency.
This ambitious initiative, he said, marked a significant leap forward in Ghana’s road infrastructure development, promising enhanced connectivity, economic growth, and improved quality of life for all Ghanaians.
‘Finance Minister Exposes NDC’
The Finance Minister Dr Amin Adam has vehemently rebutted claims of the Minority group in Parliament that the DRIP is being funded with the Common Fund of Members of Parliament.
Addressing the Chiefs and people of Northern Region during the distribution of the DRIP equipment in Tamale last Friday, Dr Amin Adam described the claim by the minority caucus as complete falsehood.
“Let me also used this platform to dispel falsehood that is moving around in some of our districts and constituencies about the source of this equipment.
“This project is a government of Ghana project under the leadership of His Excellency Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. I have heard some parliamentary candidates say that their share [MPs share] of Common Fund was put together and under the instructions of the MPs – the government used that money to procure these equipment. This cannot be true; this cannot be a fact,” he further clarified.
Dr. Amin Adam disclosed that this year alone, the Akufo-Addo government allocated GHS5.7 billion to the district assembly common fund and indicated only 5% of the common fund goes to Members of Parliament as MP’s share.
“And if they take 5% out of 5.7 billion Ghana cedis that amounts to about GHS 285 million. How can GHS 285 million procure equipment that costs billions of Ghana cedis? That is not possible. Apart from this, the MP share of the common fund are being released to the MPs – first quarter release was done, second quarters release has been done and we have all received our shares,” Dr Amin Adam asserted.
He therefore implored the citizenry to disregard the propaganda of the opposition NDC that the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government used the MPs share of the common fund to acquire the equipment.
“DRIP aliens with our ambitions to make critical development objectives and to realize the sustainable development goals. In conjunction with other flagship initiatives like the SME goals and the Economic Road Improvement Programme which is aimed at extending roads to growth enhancing areas of our country, we’re positioned and poised to create an enabling environment for economic recovery and sustainable growth” he added.
Transportation
Highlighting on the transportation sector of the economy, Dr Mohammed Amin Adam said the Akufo-Addo administration has invested significantly in transportation systems, adopting a comprehensive approach that encompasses roads, railways, and air transport.
“Our strategic goal is to stimulate economic growth, create new jobs, and make strategic transportation investments,” he said.