Lower Nzoia
614/08/202
National Land Commission (NLC) Chairperson Dr. Abdillahi Saggaf Alawy has led a Commission team on a visit to the Lower Nzoia Irrigation Development Project, which traverses Siaya and Busia counties, to assess the progress of the project and engage stakeholders on outstanding issues.
Dr. Alawy was accompanied by Commissioners Hon. Mohammed Abdi Mohamed, Hon. Mary Yiane Seneta and Vincent Cheruiyot, and NLC Chief Executive Officer Kabale Tache Arero.
The team met with officials from the Ministry of Water, the National Irrigation Authority (NIA), National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) and a section of the Project Affected Persons (PAPs).
During an engagement with the PAPs, Dr. Alawy pledged that the Commission would work to have their concerns addressed as soon as possible.
He further assured the affected persons that the Commission would facilitate the settlement of pending compensation claims, particularly those where there were no outstanding or inhibiting issues.
NLC CEO Kabale Tache Arero urged PAPs with outstanding issues to approach the Commission and present their cases for resolution, saying this would help clear the way for compensation to be processed.
At the Bunyala Irrigation Scheme, the NLC team also engaged PAPs on issues relating to compensation and the implementation of the project.
The meeting was attended by Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who appealed to the Commission to expedite the resolution of all outstanding compensation claims arising from development projects in Busia County.
The Lower Nzoia Irrigation Development Project is among major irrigation projects intended to enhance agricultural production and improve livelihoods in the region, while also controlling the perennial flooding cases in the project area.
The NLC engagement is expected to contribute towards resolving land-related challenges affecting the project and facilitating the timely compensation of eligible Project Affected Persons.