The Angololo Irrigation and Water Resources Development project on the Sio-Malaba-Malakisi River that targets to irrigate about 3,300 ha, supply water to around 20,000 people and generate 1.75MW hydropower and in total benefit at least 127,000 people, is well on course after community members and key stakeholders from Kenya and Uganda approved the ongoing full feasibility inception report.
As part of the feasibility validation process, a technical peer review team comprising technocrats from five key ministries of water, environment, energy, agriculture, irrigation, and finance from both countries met and approved the project documents early October 2020. A stakeholders’ validation forum comprising of community and government officials also endorsed the project, and so did the Regional Project Steering Committee (RPSC) that held its sittings on 9th October 2020 in Busia County of Kenya. The three organs confirmed that the project was being prepared in accordance with the development objectives of Kenya and Uganda, was technically and environmentally sound, and had high potential to be economically and financially viable and therefore gave their blessing to NELSAP-CU and the contractors to proceed with the full feasibility, detailed design and tender documents preparation.
“This project fits into both countries’ development agenda, and stakeholders are ready to take the project forward,” said Mr. Chrispine Omondi Juma, the Director of Water Resources of Kenya. Mr. Juma was delivering his remarks during the second RPSC. He thanked NELSAP-CU for resource mobilizing for the project and supporting regional cooperation. The Commissioner for Trans boundary Water Resources of Uganda, Mr Jackson Twinomujoni, through his representative, Mr. Sowed Sewagudde, said that Uganda is ready to work with NELSAP-CU to ensure smooth preparation of the project. He noted the high turn-out, at project forums, by several key stakeholders from all districts of Uganda, saying that this was testament that communities were looking forward to benefit from the project.
“Busia, the host County Government fully supports this project, the president of Kenya also supports it as one of his flagship projects, that is why he often the Devolution Minister to check on its progress,” the Governor of Busia Hon. Sospeter Ojaamong claimed. The Governor said that he had personally visited the proposed dam sites together with his county Government and was fully aware that the project will be beneficial to the people.
The Angololo Project is financed by the African Development Bank – AfDB (NEPAD-IPPF) to the tune of USD 1.5 million. Kenya and Uganda are each contributing USD 75,000 whereas NELSAP staff time contribution is valued at USD 180,000. Total project cost is USD. 1.83 million.
KEY PROJECT DATES
2010 NELSAP, Kenya & Uganda identify project, NELSAP conducts prefeasibility
OCT. 2015 18th NELCOM Approves the project in Entebbe Uganda
MAR 2019 Project Grant Letter Signed between NELSAP & AfDB (NEPAD-IPPF)
JUL 2019 Project Launched in Entebbe Uganda
MAR 2020 Independent International Dam Safety Panel of Experts formed
MAR 2020 Community sensitization at Angololo dam site in the two countries
DEC. 2021 Completion of Feasibility Phase of the project