Leaders call for proper public participation ahead of project implementation

Meru Wednesday June 21,2023,

KNA by Makaa Margaret

Elected leaders in South Imenti constituency have come out strongly in support of public participation sessions on proposed development projects likely to affect community livelihoods.

Addressing his constituents at Mutiokiama market in Abogeta East ward, area member of parliament Dr Shadrack Mwiti said public approval was key before any form of procurement for implementation of a project in the community was made.

 Dr Mwiti said the proposed water dams along rivers Kithino and Thingithu in his constituency were very viable and timely with a lot of benefits to the public, but would be very detrimental if the public felt left out at any stage of the process.

He reiterated the importance of creating cordial working relations among all players involved in such projects right from the hatching of the idea, planning stage, funding and finally at the implementation in pursuit of the common goal of delivering on the end result as per the specification and expectations of the larger community.

 The member of parliament attributed the dwindling water levels in rivers among other water sources in the constituency to inadequate rainfall as a result of the inevitable global climate change, saying having water dams in the area would come in handy since most farmers engage in irrigation farming activities throughout the year.

The legislator defended concerns raised by residents neighbouring a proposed dam site along river Kithino, saying nobody should blow the issue out of proportion to create a notion that south Imenti residents were against government development projects.

‘The concerns raised by Irindi village residents should not be brushed off, but should be a wake-up call for leaders to ensure proper guidelines were adhered to before the commencement of the actual works.’ Dr Mwiti said.

Dr Mwiti assured the public that all elected leaders in the constituency were committed to safeguarding public land from potential grabbers, along with having any that had already been grabbed repossessed for public use.

“We commit to working as a team to ensure compensation and relocation guidelines are followed to the letter in incidences where a development project directly affects an individual or a group of people in the constituency”, the legislator assured the residents.

Courtesy ; K. N. A