The National Coordinator of the District Roads Improvement Programme (DRIP), Mr Nii Lante Vanderpuye, has ordered a full-scale investigation into the burning of a DRIP machine at the office of the Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) in Dunkwa-On-Offin.
Mr Vanderpuye announced this to the media on Tuesday, December 12, saying the probe would establish the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He said he had directed the immediate withdrawal of all DRIP machines from the Municipal Assembly to the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) headquarters to facilitate investigations.
According to him, the Central Regional Minister has been given a two-week ultimatum to complete the investigations and submit a report.
“I immediately ordered that the equipment be withdrawn and a full investigation conducted to establish what led to the burning of the low-bed truck and the destruction of one of the bulldozers at the Regional Coordinating Council,” Mr Vanderpuye said.
He disclosed that preliminary findings showed that salt had been poured into the transmission system of one of the bulldozers, leading to its damage.
“I have informed the Regional Minister that I expect answers within two weeks,” he added.
Mr Vanderpuye dismissed allegations linking the Central Regional Minister to illegal mining activities in connection with the incident, describing the claims as unfounded and unsupported by evidence.
The burnt loader, which forms part of the DRIP fleet designated strictly for road improvement works, was discovered during a monitoring tour by Mr Vanderpuye and the Central Regional DRIP Coordinator, Mr Oneil Awal. The machine was found parked at the MCE’s office instead of being deployed to an active road project site.
