Parliament orders probe into Sh45b Tochi irrigation scheme in Oyam
The petitioners raised questions over the utilisation of public funds invested in the scheme and its failure to deliver the intended agricultural benefits to farmers in the area.
The petition was presented to Parliament by Oyam County North Member of Parliament Dr Eunice Otuko Apio. (File photo)
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Parliament has ordered an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of the sh45b Tochi Irrigation Scheme in Acaba Sub- County, Oyam District.
This was after over 25 petitioners wrote to Parliament claiming several irregularities in the management of the Scheme, including underutilisation of the scheme.
The petition was presented to Parliament by Oyam County North Member of Parliament Dr Eunice Otuko Apio.
The petitioners raised questions over the utilisation of public funds invested in the scheme and its failure to deliver the intended agricultural benefits to farmers in the area.
Numbering 25, the petitioners said although government established the scheme to improve farmers’ incomes and rural livelihoods, enhance food security and help communities adapt to climate change through sustainable natural-resource management and agricultural enterprises, only 52 of the 1,200 intended beneficiaries are currently using the scheme.
“The facility was supposed to include irrigation canals and networks, pumping facilities, access roads, electricity and power infrastructure among other facilities necessary to support agricultural production and enable farmers to access markets. Unfortunately, the facility does not appear to be fully equipped as intended and is not achieving its purpose,” the petitioners said.
They also questioned why the scheme has remained underutilised despite repeated complaints to the Oyam District local government and the Ministry of Water and Environment.
The petitioners said they had on several occasions raised concerns about the poor utilisation of the scheme with the relevant authorities, but no meaningful action had been taken to address the problems.
A major concern raised in the petition is the lack of adequate training for beneficiary farmers on how to operate and utilise the irrigation facilities.
The petitioners said some farmers had not received sufficient training in the use of the equipment, while some solar-powered systems were either idle or underutilised because farmers had not been adequately trained to operate them.
The petitioners further alleged cases of extortion and corruption in the management of the scheme, calling for Parliament to establish how the scheme has been managed and how the resources allocated to it have been utilised.
“We appeal to Parliament to investigate the utilisation of funds allocated by government, the performance of the scheme and the manner in which it has been managed,” they said.
The petition comes at a time when government is promoting irrigation as a key intervention to increase agricultural production, reduce dependence on rain-fed farming and strengthen food security in the face of changing weather patterns.
Receiving the petition, Speaker of Parliament Jacob Oboth expressed concern about the apparent failure of the irrigation scheme to serve its intended purpose.
“We are talking of water for agriculture and irrigation schemes. Here is a white elephant,” the Speaker said.
The Speaker referred the petition to the Committee on Agriculture, Animal Industry and Fisheries for investigation and directed the committee to report its findings and recommendations to Parliament within 30 days.