Tensions flared in Upper Manya Krobo on Monday as supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) stormed a hotel owned by Joseph Tetteh, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) parliamentary candidate, over the controversial use of equipment from the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP).
The dispute arose when a fleet of heavy machinery—including motor graders, bulldozers—was found parked at Tetteh’s hotel instead of the District Assembly premises.
The equipment, part of the recently launched DRIP initiative, was decorated with posters of Tetteh and paraphernalia of the NPP and their flagbearer, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia in attempt to showcase across the constituency sparking accusations of political point-scoring.
Outraged by what they saw as the politicization of government resources, NDC supporters mobilized and marched to the hotel in attempt to remove the posters.
The situation quickly escalated, with some NDC supporters reportedly being attacked by members of the NPP and alleged “machomen” weilding dangerous implements.
It took the intervention of reinforcement of police personnel to relatively restore calm. The NDC supporters are still massed up at the Assembly demanding that the equipment are parked at the Assembly.
The DRIP initiative, launched by President Akufo-Addo on July 31, aims to enhance road networks across Ghana by empowering Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) with the necessary resources to rehabilitate and maintain roads.
The equipment include fleet of 2,240 pieces of equipment, including motor graders, backhoes, rollers, wheel loaders, bulldozers, tipper trucks, concrete mixers, water tankers, and low beds.
The President stressed the importance of road infrastructure in economic growth and social development during the launch, emphasizing the government’s commitment to decentralization.
The controversy in Upper Manya Krobo has, however, cast a shadow over the DRIP initiative, raising concerns about the use and control of these resources for political purposes rather than community development.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
