Today, the Principal Secretary, State Department for Irrigation Mr. Ephantus Kimotho inspected the progress of Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project in Siaya and Busia counties.
He was accompanied by Irrigation Secretary Mr. Aboud Moeva, Secretary Administration Mr. Kipkemei Yatich, Mr. Jim Njoka County Commissioner Siaya and Mr. Kipchumba Rutto County Commissioner Busia among other leaders.
He was received by NIA Board Chairman Eng. Gilbert Maluki, the management team led by the acting CEO Eng. Charles Muasya, area MP. Hon Raphael Wanjala and other senior Government officials.
The PS commended the implementation progress of the project and called for speedy completion within the scheduled timelines
PS Kimotho assured farmers that the Government is at an advanced stage of negotiation with the World Bank for additional financing to cover infrastructure for the remaining components of the project.
He assured farmers that soon they will be able to comfortably grow high value crops (fruits, vegetables) in 5,000 acres and rice in rotation with soybeans, maize and other legumes in the other 5,000 acres enabled by the gravity water from Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project.
The overall physical construction progress of Lower Nzoia irrigation Project Lot 1 is at 86.44%. The progress of each component is: Intake: Diversion weir- 100%,Intake Structure- 98%,Covered Connecting Channel- 100%.Main canal: Head Works Canal- 100%,Emergency Weir- 98%, Sand Trap- 100%,Access Road- 100%,Main Canal- 94% ,Main Canal Box Culverts- 96%,Main Canal Aqueduct- 100%,Main Canal Duckbill Weirs- 98% and main Canal Cross Drainage Structures- 100%. Irrigation Blocks: Construction of tertiary canals – 30% and Bunyala Scheme Rehabilitation-100%. Irrigation management facilities: Nyadorera Irrigation Management Facilities- 98%, Bunyala Irrigation Management Facilities- 90% and Construction of Bunyala Scheme buildings- 96%.
The project covers 4,043 Ha (10,000 acres): Siaya 2,535 Ha (Approx. 6,270 Acres) and Busia 1,508 Ha (Approx. 3,730 Acres).
Once completed, the project will benefit about 12,600 directly (Siaya County: 8,400 farmers and Busia County: 4,200 farmers). The project will also support in increasing the area under rice production as espoused in the Government’s Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BeTA).