In a disheartening development, thieves have raided the abandoned Asubingya Irrigation Facility located in the Wenchi Municipality of the Bono Region, making away with three water pumps. The facility, which has been non-operational for years, has now suffered further setbacks due to this act of vandalism.
During an inspection of the site, the Ghana News Agency (GNA) observed that the power house had been left in a state of ruin. While the electricity cables installed at the facility appeared untouched, most of the equipment and machinery were in a state of obsolescence.
Confirming the incident, Mr. Emmanuel Afful, the Wenchi Municipal Director of Agriculture, stated that the theft had been reported to the local police. He also revealed that the government had plans to rehabilitate and restore the facility to operational status. "An assessment team from Accra, along with technical personnel from the Wenchi Municipal Assembly, recently visited the site, only to discover that the water pumps had been stolen," Mr. Afful lamented.
The Asubingya Irrigation Facility spans an impressive 70 hectares of land. According to Mr. Afful, reviving the project would significantly enhance agricultural activities and boost food production within the municipality.
Historical records indicate that the irrigation facility was originally constructed in 1976 under the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority and underwent rehabilitation in 2006. However, since then, it has remained non-functional, leaving local farmers to grapple with a lack of irrigation infrastructure essential for year-round farming activities.
The facility sources its water from the Subin River, where a dam was constructed to serve as a reservoir for irrigation purposes. Unfortunately, years of neglect have left the infrastructure in a deteriorated state.
In an interview with GNA, several farmers in the area expressed deep concern over the worsening condition of the facility. They called on the government to expedite efforts to restore it. Many of these farmers, predominantly women, highlighted that the current climatic conditions in the municipality are unfavorable for farming due to unpredictable rainfall patterns.
Mrs. Lucy Osei, a local farmer, shared her frustrations regarding the erratic rainfall during the crop season, which has adversely impacted crop yields. She appealed to the government to prioritize the rehabilitation of the irrigation facility, emphasizing that its restoration would enable farmers to increase production and improve their livelihoods.
-GNA
Curated by Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
