ANAMBRA State Government plans to collaborate with the federal government to rehabilitate the abandoned Lower River Basin Irrigation facility at Ifite Ogwari, Ayamelum Local Government Area.

Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra State said this while inspecting the giant facility abandoned about 17 years ago.

The facility was inaugurated in 1987 during the regime of President Ibrahim Babangida.

The pumping system was designed to provide an all-year round irrigation services to rice fields at Omor from a nearby, Ezu River.

According to Obiano, the facility, when restored would be capable of increasing rice production capacity of the state by 200,000 metric tons per annum.

“This will help the state to achieve its target of boosting rice production significantly.

“The Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Programme, ATASP, Phase One of the state has indicated interest in the project.

“The state team will meet with them soon to speed up the restoration process of the facility,” he said.

Romanus Egba, the programme coordinator, ATASP, Adani-Omor Implementation Unit, noted that different designs had been laid out for the pumping system to provide irrigation services to Omor Rice Fields.

Egba, re-assured that they would explore cost effective means of restoring the facility.

Kenneth Okolo, the transitional committee chairman of Ayamelum Council Area, said the perennial challenge experienced by rice farmers in the area would soon end.

Okolo commended Obiano on the agricultural strides in the council area, urging him not to relent on his good works to the people.

– Jun 6, 2018 @ 19:05 GMT |