Parliament raises concern over increasing missing DRIP machines

The Committee on Local Government and Rural Development within Ghana's Parliament has expressed worry over the rising incidents of District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) machines going missing across Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs). The issue, according to the Committee, is largely due to the lack of proper documentation and insurance for these machines.

Mrs Queenster Maame Pokuah Sawyerr, the Chairperson of the Committee, pointed out that without the requisite documentation, it's challenging for both the MMDAs and security forces to track and recover the stolen equipment, leading to financial setbacks for the nation. DRIP machines were introduced in 2024 by the last government to aid MMDAs in road rehabilitation and maintenance.

Mrs Sawyerr made these remarks during a public hearing on the 2025 Auditor-General's Report on MMDAs, which the Committee was tasked with examining. Mr Mahmud M. Osman, the Coordinating Director of the Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly, testified before the Committee. He reported that four DRIP machines, which lacked engines, were stolen from the Urban Roads Department, situated near a police station shortly after the 2024 general elections.

Mr Osman noted that the theft took place during post-election activities and that the machines were taken without their engines, requiring a manual pull.

The Municipal Chief Executive of Sagnarigu Municipal Assembly, Mr Abdulai Imoro Gong, stated that the Assembly has not received a police report on the incident as of yet. Mrs Sawyerr expressed concern over the absence of proper documentation for the DRIP machines, which she said impedes security agencies' ability to identify and retrieve the stolen equipment.

She emphasized the need for documentation, similar to that required for cars or imported goods, noting that such documentation could help trace and recover stolen equipment in Ghana.

Mr Conrad Z. Dumbah, the Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), echoed Mrs Sawyerr's concerns. He highlighted that the lack of proper documentation for DRIP machines is a recurrent issue across MMDAs, based on the agency's reviews. The IAA could only assess risks and engage the DACF and the machines' provider to recover the lost gear.

Mrs Sawyerr announced that the Committee would compile a list of all MMDAs that have experienced stolen DRIP machines and subsequently make a decision on the matter. Mr Alexander Akwasi Acquah, the Deputy Ranking Member of the Committee, also stressed the need for the government to conduct a comprehensive inventory of the DRIP machines to ensure proper tracking and accountability.