DAR ES SALAAM: THE National Irrigation Commission (NIRC) is implementing a strategic project for the construction of a 12 billion litres irrigation scheme at Membe village of Chamwino District, Dodoma Region.
The robust project, expected to be completed by up to 16.2bn/- will benefit a total of 2,000 farmers in the area who are set to venture into production of diverse economic cash and food crops at 7,500 acres of plantation.
The timely initiative is part of a series of projects by the state-owned Commission currently taking shape across the country with an eye to help farmers in the country to produce crops throughout a year, hence cheating rainy seasons dependency.
During an interview regarding the project, the Project’s Site Engineer from NIRC, Engineer Salehe Ramadhani said implementation of the facility is now at 86 per cent of its implementation.
He said, funds for the project had been accrued from the State Coffers, saying construction of the scheme is implemented by the local based company, Nakuroi Investment Company Ltd. “The implementation of this project commenced on September 1st, 2022 and as per the entered agreement the contractor was due to handover the project this December,” he expressed.
Due to some unfriendly weather interactions, Eng Ramadhani said the contractor is now supposed to finalise the project in two months to come.
“The Commission has already injected the contractor with over 10.4bn/- and we remain optimistic the project will finalise in the time,” he added.
Apart from serving for irrigation purposes, he said, the project has been designed to allow the beneficiaries to engage in fishing activities, as well as getting enough water for their livestock, hence propelling livelihoods.
Speaking for his part, Mr Masoud Chembe, the Project’s Site Engineer from Nakuroi Investment Company Ltd said they were working round the clock to ensure the construction of the project reflects value for the invested funds, as well as meet the set time frame.
“As a local company, feel very proud to the Government for giving us this big national tender. Implementation of this project has provided job opportunities to many indigenous of Membe village,” he appreciated. Adding her voice pertaining to implementation of the project, Ms Mariamu Mziwanda, Acting Head, Government Communications Unit at NIRC, said the Commission was also implementing other similar projects in Ndogoe and Chinan’gali II in Dodoma Region.
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“In general, the Commission is currently implementing a number of strategic projects for construction of irrigation schemes in different regions,” she said.
The focus, she said, is to empower the farmers to produce at least three seasons in a year, the development which targets to increase food security in the country and national income.
She expressed gratitude to President Samia Suluhu Hassan for helping increase budget allocation towards the Commission, from 17bn/- to currently over 400bn/-. “
The budget is allowing the Commission to run its core responsibilities more professionally, especially in project implementation,” she appreciated.
