Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture and Irrigation chairperson Anthony Kamoto has bemoaned the slow progress of Nthola-Ilola Rice Irrigation Project in Karonga District. The members of Parliament (MPs) on Saturday toured the scheme to appreciate its progress where they expressed concern with the delay. In his speech, Kamoto said government was committed to ensuring that the project is finished and becomes functional, considering the project’s economic potential.

He said: “It is a shame that a project of this magnitude, which has potential to contribute significantly to the economy of Karonga and the nation is delaying. MPs enter the rice processing factory.| George Mponda “The Greenbelt Authority must also be accountable for the funds that have been invested so far.” Sub-Traditional Authority Mwangolera also expressed concern over the delay. He further observed that the rise of water in Lake Malawi is affecting land that was initially earmarked for the project.

Greenbelt Authority director of agriculture Morris Magwira attributed the slow progress of the project to inadequate funding allocations and other operational challenges. He said the authority received K13 billion for the project last year, but has only been allocated K750 million in the current financial year, which he said has affected the pace of works. “We also faced foreign exchange and fuel shortages, which affected procurement and transportation of materials,” said Magwira.

He said they plan to construct 357 hectares in the first phase, adding that they identified China Civil Engineering Limited and Sico Civils with whom they signed contracts for the scheme and the rice processing factory. Karonga district commissioner Willard Mwambo said rice farmers in the district have waited for many years to benefit from the initiative. “While we are impressed with the progress at the rice milling and processing factory, but the irrigation scheme itself is slow,” he said.