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{
    "id": 180480,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/180480/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 125,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Mr. Kiunjuri",
    "speaker_title": "The Assistant Minister for Water and Irrigation",
    "speaker": {
        "id": 175,
        "legal_name": "Festus Mwangi Kiunjuri",
        "slug": "mwangi-kiunjuri"
    },
    "content": "However, I beg to reply. (a) My Ministry, through the NIB, has not stopped operation and maintenance services of the infrastructure of Ahero and South West Kano irrigation schemes. The Board continues to finance major infrastructure and rehabilitation of the schemes. The farmers, through the co- ordination of the Scheme Management Committee and support of the Board, pay an agreed fee to meet the operation and maintenance costs for infield systems as part of the participatory irrigation management. However, our efforts to rehabilitate and put the schemes back to full operation status are being frustrated by some leaders from the area who are inciting the youths and non-scheme farmers against the genuine farmers' leaders. (b) I am further aware that the road network within the schemes is dilapidated and drainage systems are bushy and blocked. During the Financial Year 2007/2008, a total of 20.3 kilometres of road were graded and another two kilometres were graded and gravelled and 31.5 kilometres of the 3268 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES November 5, 2008 drainage system were maintained. Additional work will be undertaken this financial year to restore the schemes' roads and facilitate access by farmers. (c) The combined acreage of Ahero and West Kano schemes is about 1,800 hectares. To be precise, it is 1,777 hectares. Unfortunately, some leaders from the area have been interfering with the management of the schemes. As a result, the schemes operate at only 30 per cent of their potential, a situation which has led to the farmers becoming poorer. However, my Ministry, through the NIB, has continued to maintain the main infrastructure with the aim of handing over the maintenance of the secondary infrastructure to farmers as part of participatory irrigation management. This is in line with the incoming policy and institutional framework for the irrigation subsector in the country."
}