Wetland encroachers killing projects

Wetland encroachers have become the biggest threat to the government multibillion shilling small scale irrigation schemes across the country, Patrick Okotel, the water for production regional manager in the water and environment ministry, has said.

Okotel made the remarks at the handover ceremony of Habuleke small-scale irrigation scheme in Busia subcounty, Busia district.

He said if the Government does not stop massive encroachment, the project will be useless.

Okotel said the ministry is implementing a presidential directive to construct 500 small-scale irrigation schemes across the country by 2021 as adaptation measures to the impact of climate change on agricultural production and productivity.

The chairperson farm management committee for Habuleke, Isaac Bwire, requested that action be taken to ensure that the encroachers within the stretch of 200 metres from the project vacate.