O.K. Frimpong, an independent parliamentary candidate for the Asante Akyem North Constituency in the Ashanti Region, has accused the Asante Akyem North Municipal Assembly of misusing recently released DRIP equipment.
These machines, distributed by the government a month ago, were intended for road maintenance purposes across the country.
Speaking on Kumasi-based Ultimate FM, as monitored by *Kumasi Mail*, Frimpong expressed his concern: “I don’t want to believe that the Municipal Assembly has released the DRIP machines for galamsey. As I speak, one of the machines is stuck in a mining pit,” he told host Julius Caesar Anadem.
He further explained that the equipment in question is currently in a galamsey pit at Asante Akyem Gyansah, the hometown of the sitting Member of Parliament, Andy Appiah-Kubi. “Just look at what they are using our taxpayers’ money for,” Frimpong lamented.
Back on August 23, 2024, Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah had warned against the misuse of the District Road Improvement Project (DRIP) equipment, particularly for illegal mining activities. He stated, “The equipment is not meant for illegal activities. The intended purpose is to improve road infrastructure across the country.”
Osei-Mensah also emphasized the need for responsible equipment management, urging, “I appeal to all MMDCs to take good care of the equipment. If these machines are left idle or misused for private purposes, while the road network deteriorates, the people will not benefit.”
The DRIP project is part of a broader government initiative aimed at enhancing road infrastructure and promoting economic development, especially in rural areas. It is designed to improve market access, boost livelihoods, and pave the way for a brighter future.
Unfortunately, just two months after the machines were deployed, reports indicate that some of them have ended up being used in illegal mining (galamsey) pits. Efforts to contact the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for clarification on the issue have so far been unsuccessful.
More soon …
Source: www.kumasimail.com
