MP wants funds for Sh5.4b irrigation project released

Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga

Government has been urged to increase its allocation on irrigation to facilitate the establishment of more schemes in arid and semi-arid regions. In the 2013/2014 budget, Treasury allocated Sh9.5 billion to irrigation. Nyatike MP Omondi Anyanga (pictured) said more funding would allow the National Irrigation Board to revive all stalled irrigation projects in the region.

He spoke as the Government announced plans to speed up the completion of the first phase of the Lower Kuja Irrigation Project in Migori County. Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Felix Koskei, who visited the Lower Kuja project at the weekend, announced that Sh67 million would be released to the contractors to speed up works on the 19,293 acre project in Nyatike constituency, in phase one.

The MP also said more public resources could go to the drain if the projects are allowed to turn into white elephants due to sabotage. “We cannot move the country forward if leaders continue politicising projects that are meant to improve the well-being of the public,” Anyanga warned. He was addressing the press in Nairobi yesterday.

He said local leaders should not use unfounded corruption and nepotism allegations to sabotage projects. Anyanga also urged the Government to expedite the release of funds to ensure ongoing works on the Sh5.4 billion irrigation project in Migori County does not stall.

“More than 40,000 families along the basin will benefit from this project. Since its launch in 2001, residents cannot wait to beginning reaping befits that will come with it,” he noted.