Pride commences scheme construction works

Construction works of schemes under Programme for Rural Irrigation Development (Pride), a government of Malawi project, starts next week. This was disclosed during the handover of three construction sites for irrigation schemes to contractors in Zomba district.

The three irrigation schemes are Nkhulambe/Wowo, Lingoni and Matoponi in Phalombe, Machinga and Zomba districts respectively.

Speaking during the handover of the sites, Deputy Director of Irrigation in the Ministry of Agriculture, Peter Chipeta urged the contractors to deliver durable and quality work.

“We don’t want shoddy work. We are looking for durable and quality structures that will benefit generations. This is why government is pumping a lot of resources into this project,” said Chipeta.

Pride is a seven-year, US80.4 million irrigation programme funded by the International Fund for Agricultural Development (Ifad) and the Government of Malawi. The three schemes are part of the nine schemes Pride will construct across the country.

Pride Project Coordinator, Munday Makoko called on the communities around the schemes to support construction works to ensure timely completion of the works.

“Timely completion of the works will ensure that you, as the owners of the scheme, start to benefit from the completed scheme as quickly as possible. Support the contractor by guarding against theft and any challenges that could slow progress,” said Makoko.

Construction period is one year and the three schemes will be constructed by Malawian firms, Malbro International and a Joint Venture of Hema and Emmac to a combined cost of MK8.1 billion.