Parliament committee raises alarm over GH₵800,000 DRIP equipment theft

The Local Government and Rural Development Committee of Parliament has voiced serious concerns regarding the theft of machinery supplied under the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP). This trend is resulting in significant financial losses to the state, as many of the items were reportedly distributed to local assemblies without adequate documentation or insurance coverage. The committee warned that the absence of these standard administrative safeguards has created a loophole for equipment to vanish without easy recovery.

Committee Chairperson Queenstar Pokua Sawyerr disclosed that reports of missing equipment have already emerged from at least four local assemblies. A notable instance occurred at the Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly, where four concrete mixers with a combined value exceeding GH₵800,000 were stolen. The committee noted that the lack of formal tracking and registration has made it nearly impossible for authorities to trace the stolen machinery or hold responsible parties accountable for the security of these public assets.

The lack of comprehensive insurance for these multi-million cedi investments remains a primary point of contention for the lawmakers. Without such coverage, the state is forced to absorb the full cost of the losses, directly undermining the program's objective to improve local road infrastructure across Ghana. Members of the committee emphasized that the current management of DRIP assets lacks the necessary oversight to protect public funds from being drained through theft and mismanagement.

To address these vulnerabilities, the committee has called for an immediate comprehensive audit of all equipment delivered under the DRIP initiative. They are also advocating for improved insurance measures and stricter inventory protocols across all assemblies to prevent further pilferage and ensure that the equipment is used solely for its intended purpose of enhancing national connectivity. The lawmakers have signaled that they will continue to monitor the program closely to ensure better stewardship of national resources.