Stalled Government Projects in Migori set for completion

Migori,

Friday, November 3, 2023

KNA by Belinda Oyanda and Polycarp Ochieng

A number of government projects in Migori County are now on the verge of completion after several years of stagnation.

This is according to the Migori National Government Development County Implementation Coordination and Management Committee under the stewardship of the Migori County Commissioner David Gitonga.

Among the key projects that have stalled for years and have been jumpstarted include the Lower Kuja Irrigation Project, stalled road projects under the Kenya Rural Roads Authority (Kerra), Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA), and the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) and the Migori County Headquarters (State Department of Public Works).

Speaking during the meeting convened at IFAD Hall at the county headquarters in Migori town, Gitonga revealed that several efforts have been made to navigate the challenges that previously hindered the project’s completion.

For instance, the construction of the Migori County Headquarters which had stalled for over 15 years is finally receiving attention and direction sparking optimism among the local residents.

The Administrator stated that efforts to breathe life back into the project have been among the key focus during the previous meetings and thus he expressed the determination to oversee its swift and successful completion.

“This project has been dormant for so long and the committee on the national security and national administration gave the recommendations on the way forward. The president gave a directive that the projects that were started some years back get completed,” noted Gitonga.

Through a series of strategic steps and collaborative efforts with various stakeholders, the Gitonga assured that the project is now facing its final stages of completion, as funds have been allocated.

“The revival of this project signifies a renewed commitment to fulfilling the promises made to the county and addresses the aspirations of the populace, who had long anticipated the positive impact the project would bring,” he added.

Ochengo Onguso, the Secretariat from the Government Delivery Services (GDS) in Nyanza under the Ministry of Public Service, Performance Management and Delivery, outlined that the Lower Kuja Irrigation Scheme which has a capacity of production for 19,000 acres; a paltry4,000 acres were being utilised.

He said that there was a plan to increase the production from 19, 000 to 30, 000 acres, adding that, through the president's directive, the national irrigation authority had allocated Sh100 million to bring an additional 4,000 acres under production, which will incorporate rice, and sunflower among other crops.

However, in light of the stalled projects, Mr Onguso called for increased accountability, transparency, and an accelerated timeline to finalize the initiatives.

He cited that they have reached resolutions as the national committee that will see the formulation of technical partners from the State Department for Public Works who are supposed to visit to look at the integrity of the work and the cost estimates.

The official also mentioned the Mabera Housing Scheme launched on August 1, this year, which is currently at four percent completion.

Kenya Rural Roads Authority (KeRRA) Regional Director, Engineer Joash Michoma who was also present at the meeting said that they are set to connect the rural areas such as the Masara-Sori Road which is still incomplete.

Michoma expressed that heavy rains have contributed to the derailing of its completion after washing away a section of the road. He affirmed that the road is now 84 percent complete.

Other roads included the Isibania- Kehancha, Guitembe-Ongata- Logorian roads which were done between 2019/2021 and are fully completed apart from the minimum road maintenance.

The effort to resurrect the dormant projects signals a potential turning point in fulfilling the country’s expectations and aspirations toward a brighter and more developed country.

Courtesy; KNA