The Western Regional Minister, Kwabena Okyere Darko-Mensah, says the NPP government has done well in meeting the needs of the populace in education, health and Roads. 'When the NPP assumed the reign of Government, the country was confronted with three major challenges, education, health and road infrastructure. I am pleased to report that we tackled the challenges of education with the free SHS, T- VET and related policy interventions, health issues with Agenda 111, one District, one ambulance and allied policies. And Today, the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) is here to help us resolve the road infrastructure challenges across the Country.' We believe that the roads will be motorable for farmers to bring more produce to the market…livelihoods will be cheap unless greed sets in. The Western Region has been allocated 172 of the DRIP machineries, a vision aimed at resourcing the MMDAs across the country to provide road improvement services, create jobs and harness the huge prospects of the local economy. The equipment included three bulldozers, Six-wheel loaders, 28 concrete mixers, three low beds, 14 motor graders, 14 water tankers, 14 tipper trucks, 14 backhoes, and 14 rollers. The DRIP is about creating a connected and thriving Ghana, where every district, no matter how remote, feels the impact of progress…' This initiative would ensure the progress and prosperity of the country at the local level,' the Minister added. The DRIP was the largest investment ever made in the Local Government Sector, providing nearly a 1500 equipment to MMDAs across the country, which demonstrated government's commitment to improving local infrastructure by giving Local Authorities the tools to effect meaningful changes in their local communities. The DRIP project was expected to create nearly 8,000 direct jobs, stimulate local economic development, reduce post-harvest losses since farmers would have improved roads to transport their farm produce to markets as well as improve general service delivery across the cou ntry.  The Minister said the Regional Co-ordinating Council with the mandate to co-ordinate the activities of MMDAs in the region would closely monitor the effective utilization of these equipment. 'I trust that the equipment will be fully deployed to help resolve the urgent request for road infrastructure.'  Mr. George Agyiri was appointed as the Regional Coordinator for the DRIP Programme.  In all, 420 operators and drivers would be trained in three clusters for the Western Region. Dr. Isaac Dasmani, on behalf of the MMDCEs, appreciated the government for the gesture which would go a long way to enhance development and brighten the lives of Ghanaians. Source: Ghana News Agency