The Devolution Cabinet Secretary (CS), Eugene Wamalwa has urged the Budalang’i MP, Raphael Wanjala and the Busia Governor, Sospeter Ojaamong to work closely with the National Government with a view to completing the Lower Nzoia Irrigation Project.
Speaking to the press at Bumadeya Primary School in Bunyala Sub County on Monday, Wamalwa said that the Sh. 5 billion project will offer a lasting solution to floods in the area.
“Since the establishment of these temporary dykes along River Nzioa 10 years ago, we have not experienced this magnitude of floods in this region,” he said.
The CS urged land owners in areas earmarked for the project to accept compensation so that the project can continue stating that compensation has been the main cause of delay.
“We are pleading with land owners to allow the project to take off so that permanent dykes can be established,” he reiterated, adding that the dykes will also increase the acreage of land under Bunyala Irrigation Scheme.
Wamalwa stated that currently the scheme has 2,000 acres under irrigation, which will increase to 10,000 once the project is complete.
At the same time, he urged those living within flood prone areas to guard against loss of lives and property.
“Please heed to the government advice and move to safer grounds,” he said, adding that the government would not like to incur further loss of lives.
The CS pointed out that 164 lives have been lost through flood and landslides across the country since the onset of heavy rains.
We have toured the entire Sub County and realized that all the wards have been affected, which calls for relief food to the victims.
He assured of government support in terms of food and non-food items for the entire period that the affected will be in the temporary camps.
More than 10,000 households have been affected by floods across 23 counties especially those in Nyanza, Rift Valley, North Eastern, Western and North Eastern.
By Salome Alwanda
