PM Nabbanja inspects stalled sh64b Pakwach irrigation project

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On a directive by President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni, Prime Minister Robinah Nabbanja has begun inspecting a 64-billion-shilling irrigation project in Pakwach district that had stalled and is now being revitalised.

“When the President was in Pakwach in October during his campaign trail, the leaders raised the issue of the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme, which has failed to serve its intended purpose. Therefore, I am here to investigate and revitalise the project as soon as possible,” said Nabbanja.

The Prime Minister Rt. Hon. Robinah Nabbanja, while visiting the Wadelai Irrigation scheme in Pakwach district. The official from the ministry water and environment explaining the details of the project in Pakwach. (Courtesy photo)

The Wadelai Irrigation Scheme, conceived in 2018 by the government, is a major project under the AfDB-funded FIEFOC-2 programme.

It was designed to boost food security and incomes for over 3,000 farmers by enabling year-round irrigation for crops such as rice, maize, and vegetables.

Museveni directed the prime minister to resolve issues that led to the stalling of works at the scheme. To begin with, a new contractor, Ambitious Construction Uganda Limited, was awarded the works.

Site Inspection of the Wadelai Irigation Scheme in Pakwach district. (Courtesy photo)

Site Inspection of the Wadelai Irrigation Scheme in Pakwach district. (Courtesy photo)

Coil Limited reportedly failed to complete the works in time, which led to flooding of canals and affected homesteads and gardens in the neighbourhood.

Under the revised scope of work, the contractor must construct the headworks, critical sections of the spillway, main canal works and the completion of the primary, secondary, tertiary and quadrant canals.

After a site inspection visit on Monday (January 12), Nabbanja emphasised the project’s potential contribution to the socio-economic transformation in the area and directed the contractor to fast-track its implementation.

“The government has invested a lot of money in this project, but it has not served the intended people. Therefore, you need to double your efforts to have this project completed as soon as possible,” she told the contractor.

The contractor gave assurances that the project will be completed this March.

Pakwach LC5 chairman Robert Omito told Nabbanja that the Ministry of Water and Environment had not involved the district leadership in the implementation of the project, causing a lot of fear among the residents.

“We were not briefed on how the project will be implemented nor were we involved in monitoring its implementation. Going forward, the ministry should involve the local government because it is on the ground,” he said.

Faustin Chunyai, a 94-year-old retired magistrate and elder in the Paten community in Pakwach, said the project will greatly improve the livelihoods of the people, although they had initially misunderstood its purpose.

“We are happy that the government has revitalised the completion of the project so that our people can carry out all-year-round farming to improve their household incomes,” he said. 

When it is ready, Nabbanja advised the area farmers to utilise the irrigation scheme to grow high-value crops to realise the intended benefit of the project.

She also met leaders of Pakwach to assess service delivery and reaffirmed the government's commitment to improving service delivery in the district.

Nabbanja assured residents of Pakwach that the government is addressing concerns raised during the recent NRM presidential candidate’s campaign engagements in the district.

Key among the concerns are illegal fishing activities on the River Nile and the conduct of the Fisheries Protection Unit in enforcing fishing regulations.

She said the President has already taken decisions on the matter, including the establishment of a special fund aimed at supporting fishing communities affected by enforcement measures. 

The prime minister commended the area people for their continued support of the NRM government and urged them to actively participate in ongoing government development programmes. 

The Pakwach Woman MP, Jane Pacuto, asked Nabbanja to remind the President about outstanding development priorities in the district, including infrastructure and social services.