Upper West : Minority petitions OSP to probe Wa West DCE over alleged diversion of DRIP equipment

The Minority caucus in Parliament has officially petitioned the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) to investigate alleged misappropriation within the Wa West District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) project.

The caucus accuses Wa West’s District Chief Executive (DCE), Vida Dioretey, of misusing project resources for political purposes, raising serious concerns about transparency and accountability within local governance.

The DRIP project, designed to improve district road infrastructure, is critical for enhancing rural accessibility, maintaining transport routes, and supporting overall rural development. However, the Minority caucus contends that project resources, including funds and equipment, have been diverted for partisan gains.

The allegations center on claims that DCE Vida Dioretey transferred DRIP machinery and a GH¢400,000 maintenance fund to NPP parliamentary candidate in the district. According to the Minority caucus, this transfer is a clear case of public resources being exploited for political purposes, with funds intended for the district’s infrastructure improvement allegedly being misdirected to benefit an individual with no official role in district administration.

Edwin Nii Lante Vanderpuye, the Ranking Member on Parliament’s Local Government and Rural Development Committee, spoke out on the matter, condemning the DCE’s alleged actions as a misuse of taxpayer funds.

“The NPP PC, what right has she got? Is the NPP PC a member of parliament? Is he the District Chief Executive?” Vanderpuye questioned, expressing dismay over the alleged handover of public resources to a political candidate rather than maintaining transparency and equity in project management.

The Minority caucus has stressed the need for accountability, urging the OSP to conduct a thorough investigation. They insist that swift action is essential to maintain public confidence in the integrity of local governance. Furthermore, they demand appropriate sanctions against the DCE if the allegations are proven, emphasizing the need for such resources to remain untainted by political bias.

The caucus points out that these funds were approved by Parliament for the DRIP initiative, which seeks to develop and maintain district road networks. The allegations of diversion of these resources to an NPP candidate raise questions about fair use and the need for transparency in local government operations.

The DRIP project aims to address the infrastructure challenges in districts, especially in rural areas. By improving road networks, the project supports rural access to essential services and enhances connectivity across  regions.

The Minority caucus argues that such misuse of resources compromises public trust and undermines efforts to ensure that district development initiatives are implemented transparently. They maintain that the alleged actions demonstrate a serious breach of public office responsibilities, which the OSP must address to prevent a recurrence in other districts.