‘NRGP mandated to complete works’

The Northern Rural Growth Programme (NRGP) has been mandated by the African Development Bank to complete all outstanding works in the New Longoro Irrigation Scheme to enable farmers to get the full benefit of the scheme.

A consultant is currently assessing the work for the preparation of bidding documents, advertisement, bids evaluation and finally the award of contract for the construction of the outstanding works to begin.

The Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Clement Kofi Humado,  who said this in Parliament, said the scheme, located in the Kintampo North District in the Brong Ahafo Region, had an area of 300 acres for 360 beneficiaries.

The farmers, according to him, had formed an irrigation farmers association which was registered with the Department of Cooperatives.

The minister told parliament in an answer by the Member of Parliament for Kintampo North, Mr Stephen Kunsu, that  the contract for the construction of the scheme was signed with UNIQUESCO Ltd on September 22, 2002, and that work began immediately.

The contract was, however, terminated on June 26, 2007, due to nonperformance, while a second contract was signed with SAT Ltd on January 22, 2008. That contract also ended on September 30, 2009, when the AfDB—funded small scale irrigation development project came to an end.

Mr Humado said  the development of the 300 acres of land was the major outstanding problem, explaining that the development would involve clearing and levelling.

"Without the land development, the flow of irrigation water on the field will be very difficult, if not impossible."

Other Trending Stories

Voter turnout in Volta Region a major concern for NDC – Asiedu Nketia

Agenda 111 will improve health facilities - Dormaahene to Bawumia

Amoako Baah criticises Organised Labour for calling off strike

Former Central Regional Minister E.K.T Addo passes on

We need collective responsibility in illegal mining fight - Sam George

Mr Humado said despite the undeveloped nature of the land, some farmers had been using part of the land to cultivate maize and vegetables, adding that since 2011, the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority had stationed an agricultural extension agent on the scheme to provide extension services to the farmers.

He gave assurance that everything possible would be done to develop the land to enable the farmers to get the full benefit of the project.