The Upper East Regional Minister, Hon. Stephen Yakubu has handed site of the Vea Supply and Irrigation Scheme to Messrs. Rann Luuk Constraction for rehabilitation in Bongo.
The rehabilitation works commence in March this year and it is expected to be completed in thirty months duration.
The details of the contract work include restoration of the eroded downstream slope of the dam embankment to improve the dam’s stability, the rehabilitation of the irrigation canal network, the drainage works, farm road works and the perimeter fencing of the irrigable area.
In his address before the symbolic handing over of the site to the contractor to signify the commencement of work, the Regional Minister advised the contractor to put up a splendid performance and also keep to the schedule time frame to enable farmers have access to the land to carry out their farming activities.
Hon. Yakubu did not mince words when he told the contractor that under his watch, the government of Akufo- Addo would not tolerate any shoddy work and stressed that that his technical men would give him periodic report on the progress of work.
He said the government under the His Excellency President Akufo-Addo is committed to providing new dams, dugout, rehabilitate existing irrigation schemes to engage our energetic and teaming youth in gainful agriculture employment and improved livelihood on sustainable level.
He explained that the youth usually migrate to Kumasi in search of other alternative means of livelihood because of the absence of functional irrigation facilities adding that if such facilities are made available at their disposal, they would stay here for meaningful work.
Hon. Yakubu said the Vea Irrigation Project alone has a total of 850 hectares of rice cultivation and upon completion, it may double to about 1, 700 hectares and was very hopeful that this increase in hectares would drastically reduce the importation of rice to realize the vision of President Akufo Addo’s Ghana Beyond Aid agenda.
The Chief Executive Officer of Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA) Engineer, Wilson Darkwah appealed to the Chiefs and the farmers to protect the dam by planting trees at the river banks because structures are springing into catchment area of the dam.
He explained that if they neglect this responsibility, in fifteen to twenty years’ time upon the completion of the rehabilitation works, the scheme would break down and they may not have fund readily available for repairs.
He also urged the community members to support the contractor to deliver on schedule and advised them not steal our damage his equipment.
Engineer Darkwah told farmers to consider farming as business but not part time job by giving proper attention to the crops and also through advice from from GIDA and agriculture experts to generate worth.
The Chief of Vea, Naba Thomas Azubire who spoke on behalf of his colleagues thanked the government, the GIDA officials and the Regional Minster for the support to the community through the rehabilitation of the Vea Dam and assured them of their commitment to put the facility into good use when completed.
