Vea Dam handed over for rehabilitation; details of contract remain sketchy

The Vea Supply and Irrigation Scheme in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region has received a special package from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for rehabilitation.

The project is awarded to Messrs. Rann Luuk Constructions and work will soon commence. The contract sum for the project is still not known by the contractor or any of the stakeholders yet work is expected to be completed in 30 months.

Answering a question asked by A1 Radio’s reporter, Moses Apiah regarding the contract sum of the project, the contractor, Mr Yankson noted that they (Ministry of Agric and his firm) were still on the negotiation table, but was quick to add that work will soon commence at the allotted time regardless of that.

Details of the contract according to Mr Yankson, include the restoration of the eroded downstream slope of the dam’s embankment, rehabilitation of the irrigation canal network, drainage work, construction of farm roads, and perimeter fencing of the irrigable area.

Meanwhile, the Upper East Regional Minister, Stephen Yakubu, cautioned the contractors to avoid shoddy work as his leadership would not tolerate such attitudes.

He also called on chiefs and opinion leaders in the area to pay vigorous attention and report to him when the need arises.

Stressing on the importance of the dam, the Minister said it will bring relief to many youths especially those who have an interest in farming to be engaged.

“…if this dam is completed regarding the rehabilitation works, it will help youth to engage in farming. They will no longer have the interest of travelling to the Southern sector in search of work. That is why my interest is in this dam”, he added.

The Chief of Vea, Naba Thomas Azubire, however, appealed to authorities to put much focus on the dam as many youths will benefit from it when completed.

A1radioonline.com|101.1 MHz|Moses Apiah|Bolgatanga|Ghana