Tono Irrigation scheme to be rehabilitation (Daily Graphic, Wednesday March 19, 2008.Page 31)

Story: Benjamin Xornam Glover, Tono
THE Minister of Food and Agriculture Mr. Ernest A. Debrah, last Saturday cut the sod to mark the start of work on the rehabilitation of the Tono Irrigation Scheme in the Kassena-Nankana District of the Upper East Region.
The rehabilitation works, which has been on the drawing board for decades, would cost GH c 7.90 million cedis. It would include regarding and gravelling of the main access road in the scheme, re-gravelling of the dam wall and erosion control of the dam slopes and replacement of lost linings of concrete on the main and lateral canals.
There would be a construction of washing bays, culverts, water control gates and desilting of main drain.
Six construction firms have been engage to execute the project scheduled for completion in December.
The construction of the Tono Irrigation Dam started in 1975 and was completed in 1979.covering a total 2,440 hectares of irrigable area. However for the past 25 years that the project has been operating, no major maintenance has been carried on the facilities. This has led to a reduction of the original 2,440 hectares of irrigated land to the present 1,800 hectares.
The ceremony was witnessed by a cross-section of people, including traditional rulers. Also present was the Minister for Energy and MP for Navrongo Central, Mr. Joseph Kofi Adda.
Mr. Debrah expressed the hope that when the project was completed it will lead to improvement in economic well being of the people of Navrongo and its environs and Ghana at large.
He noted that the physical, economic and social sustainability of the scheme after the rehabilitation will depend on the collective effort of the farmers, the Irrigation Company of the Upper Regions,(ICOUR), management and the wider community who are direct or indirect beneficiaries of the scheme.
Mr. Debrah entreated the contractors who would work on the project to live up to expectation by ensuring quality output and deliver within the schedule.
The Minister disclosed that government in its bid to improve the rice sector intends to assist farmers in the vast rice valleys of Fumbisi with inputs and land preparation to crop a total of 1000 hectares of rice for a start.
The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Alhassan Samari in a speech read on his behalf by his deputy, Mrs. Agnes Asangalisah Chigabatia said the project was a demonstration of the government’s commitment to the accelerated development to the area.
“The project when completed will not only increase food production in the region but will also give more jobs to people and thereby put more money in the pockets of our farmers”, he said.
The Minister calls for public support towards the successful completion of the project to serve it intended purpose.
The Managing Director of ICOUR, Mr. Issa Bukari conveyed ICOUR’S appreciation to government for funding the project and added the project when completed would enhance the efficiency of water management to increase productivity also areas which hither to could not get water can now be put under cultivation.
The National President of the Farmers and Fisherman Award Winners Association of Ghana , Mr. Philip Abayori while commending the government for rehabilitating the dam appealed for the refurbish the rice mills to boost rice production in the area.
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