Sh50b agricultural project registers limited impact
Nov 18, 2009
A SH50.9b agricultural project, which was supposed to change the livelihood of farmers in the West Nile region, has closed with little impact registered.
By Ronald Kalyango
A SH50.9b agricultural project, which was supposed to change the livelihood of farmers in the West Nile region, has closed with little impact registered.
Funded by the African Development Bank, the project was supposed to benefit farmers in Adjumani, Arua, Koboko, Moyo, Nebbi and Yumbe districts.
Dubbed the Northwest Smallholder Agricultural Development Project, it closed down on September 30, 2009, before completion.
According to a document presented to the agriculture state minister, Aggrey Bagiire, the project, which started in May 2001, was planned to last for five years.
However, due to the difficulties experienced during the implementation process, the project was extended.
The Government and the African Development Bank initially agreed to extend its implementation by two years. But this was changed to one year and then to nine months.
The document indicated that 99.34% of the funds were given to contractors.
“It is just a mere 0.66% of the funds that have not been disbursed,†the document added.
It was established that although the project implementers say that the Nebbi District Farm Institute was completed and was ready for handover, the institute, which was constructed in Adjumani, leaves a lot to be desired.
“The over sh2b institute, has not been constructed to the required standards,†the document said.
The implementers informed the minister that the institute structures built by Alpha-Global 21st Joint Venture, the contractors, were fitted with poor quality doors. They added that the buildings were already surrounded by a bush.
After touring the institute, Bagiire directed the contractors to complete the structures in two months or risk going to prison.
“I am disappointed. I will be the first witness in the court of law then I will see if there is any magistrate who will rule such a case in your favour,†Bagiire told the contractors.
He noted that the buildings had become dilapidated before they were handed over to the beneficiaries.
Bagiire was also invited to officially open the markets constructed under the project, but he refused to open some of them, citing shoddy works.
He noted that the sh1b markets constructed in Agosusu and Ofua villages in Adjumani district by Roja Uganda, were not up to the recommended standards.
He also noted that the market in Pekelle constructed by Kodam Suppliers and Contractors and that in Dzaipi village built by Kamukaro General will not benefit the farmers.
Both markets cost over sh2b.
The project was also supposed to support routine maintenance of 1,600km of community access roads and rehabilitate 205km of roads in six districts.
The document to the minister said 128.2km of roads and 13 bridges had been rehabilitated to ‘substantial completion levels’ but the roads and bridges, which Bagiire visited, had collapsed before communities started using them.
Bagiire said the13km Tete-Ogolo road built by AB Contractors at sh462m and another 12.7km of the Pakelle-Ibibiaworo road constructed by United Building at sh359m had collapsed before the official commissioning.
According to the document, farmers were supposed to use the roads to transport their produce to the markets.
If the roads and markets had been constructed according to the guidelines, there would be poverty reduction. Food security would be enhanced and household income increased throughout the north-west region, Bagiire said.
The project’s objective was to improve agricultural productivity consistent with the Government policies of sustainable economic growth, he added.
The project was supposed to improve 22 markets, rehabilitate the two existing farm institutes in Arua and Moyo and improve water supply and sanitation in the markets.
It was supposed to distribute 28.4 tonnes of improved seeds and 24 tonnes of cassava cuttings to farmers and to provide extension services to 51,000 farmers.
About 20 demonstration centers were supporsed to be established and 20,000 farmers trained in animal traction techniques.
The farmers were supposed to establish 20 animal traction demonstration groups.
To boost agro-forestry, the project implementers were supposed to establish tree nurseries with a capacity of 5,000 tree seedlings, establish 20 woodlots and distribute 1,000 energy saving stoves.
A total of over sh1b was supposed to be given to 7,500 farmers as credit and capacity building for the Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations for over five years.
The Adjumani resident district commissioner, Maj. Baker Ddudu, informed the minister that he advised the contractors to redo the works, but they ignored his request.
A SH50.9b agricultural project, which was supposed to change the livelihood of farmers in the West Nile region, has closed with little impact registered.
Funded by the African Development Bank, the project was supposed to benefit farmers in Adjumani, Arua, Koboko, Moyo, Nebbi and Yumbe districts.
Dubbed the Northwest Smallholder Agricultural Development Project, it closed down on September 30, 2009, before completion.
According to a document presented to the agriculture state minister, Aggrey Bagiire, the project, which started in May 2001, was planned to last for five years.
However, due to the difficulties experienced during the implementation process, the project was extended.
The Government and the African Development Bank initially agreed to extend its implementation by two years. But this was changed to one year and then to nine months.
The document indicated that 99.34% of the funds were given to contractors.
“It is just a mere 0.66% of the funds that have not been disbursed,†the document added.
It was established that although the project implementers say that the Nebbi District Farm Institute was completed and was ready for handover, the institute, which was constructed in Adjumani, leaves a lot to be desired.
“The over sh2b institute, has not been constructed to the required standards,†the document said.
The implementers informed the minister that the institute structures built by Alpha-Global 21st Joint Venture, the contractors, were fitted with poor quality doors. They added that the buildings were already surrounded by a bush.
After touring the institute, Bagiire directed the contractors to complete the structures in two months or risk going to prison.
“I am disappointed. I will be the first witness in the court of law then I will see if there is any magistrate who will rule such a case in your favour,†Bagiire told the contractors.
He noted that the buildings had become dilapidated before they were handed over to the beneficiaries.
Bagiire was also invited to officially open the markets constructed under the project, but he refused to open some of them, citing shoddy works.
He noted that the sh1b markets constructed in Agosusu and Ofua villages in Adjumani district by Roja Uganda, were not up to the recommended standards.
He also noted that the market in Pekelle constructed by Kodam Suppliers and Contractors and that in Dzaipi village built by Kamukaro General will not benefit the farmers.
Both markets cost over sh2b.
The project was also supposed to support routine maintenance of 1,600km of community access roads and rehabilitate 205km of roads in six districts.
The document to the minister said 128.2km of roads and 13 bridges had been rehabilitated to ‘substantial completion levels’ but the roads and bridges, which Bagiire visited, had collapsed before communities started using them.
Bagiire said the13km Tete-Ogolo road built by AB Contractors at sh462m and another 12.7km of the Pakelle-Ibibiaworo road constructed by United Building at sh359m had collapsed before the official commissioning.
According to the document, farmers were supposed to use the roads to transport their produce to the markets.
If the roads and markets had been constructed according to the guidelines, there would be poverty reduction. Food security would be enhanced and household income increased throughout the north-west region, Bagiire said.
The project’s objective was to improve agricultural productivity consistent with the Government policies of sustainable economic growth, he added.
The project was supposed to improve 22 markets, rehabilitate the two existing farm institutes in Arua and Moyo and improve water supply and sanitation in the markets.
It was supposed to distribute 28.4 tonnes of improved seeds and 24 tonnes of cassava cuttings to farmers and to provide extension services to 51,000 farmers.
About 20 demonstration centers were supporsed to be established and 20,000 farmers trained in animal traction techniques.
The farmers were supposed to establish 20 animal traction demonstration groups.
To boost agro-forestry, the project implementers were supposed to establish tree nurseries with a capacity of 5,000 tree seedlings, establish 20 woodlots and distribute 1,000 energy saving stoves.
A total of over sh1b was supposed to be given to 7,500 farmers as credit and capacity building for the Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisations for over five years.
The Adjumani resident district commissioner, Maj. Baker Ddudu, informed the minister that he advised the contractors to redo the works, but they ignored his request.