By Olisemeka Obeche
China Zhonghao Nigeria Limited has officially confirmed completion of ATASP-1 flagship Project, the Concrete Lining of 16.45km Main Canal, 6km First Secondary Canal (Total, 22.45km) & Rehabilitation of Various Hydraulic Structures of Ada Rice Irrigation System at Adani, Uzo-Uwani LGA of Enugu State.
Officials of the Chinese Civil Engineering company led by its Project Manager, Mr. Chen made the declaration on Thursday, 12th September 2024, during an official visit at the Headquarters of ATAP-1 Adani-Omor Zonal Programme Implementation Unit, Awka, Anambra State.
Mr. Chen further assured of the company’s commitment to fast-tracking its work rate to ensure timely completion of the second leg of the project- Package 4 Lot 2, Concrete Lining of 40.1Km of the moribund Lower Anambra Irrigation Project which has achieved 40 percent completion.
He disclosed that the company had engaged several sub-contractors as well as increased their working gang to 10 in a bid to ensure completion of the project by September 30, 2024. According to him, with the heavy mobilization of men and material resources for the work, the September deadline was feasible depending on the volume of rainfall during the remaining period of the month.
The Zonal Program Coordinator, Dr. Romanus Egba who welcomed the officials, thanked them for completing the project against all odds and urge them to go extra mile in ensuring that the remain project at Omor was also delivered.
He seized the opportunity to reiterate the importance of delivery of high quality job and meeting the deadline, stressing that ATASP-1 would not settle for anything less.
Egba expressed joy that soon rice farmers in Ada Rice Irrigation Project and their counterpart at the Lower Anambra Irrigation Project would start dry season farming and increase food productivity and income generation.
“Ada Irrigation canal is designed to facilitate steady water supply by gravitational force to over 1,350 hectares of rice farms in Adani and surrounding areas for dry season farming. That of Omor project will guarantee steady water supply to over 3,500 hectares of rice farms in arable fields in Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State.
“You can see that this project is the real game-changer as it would facilitate dry season farming in these areas. I’m happy that we have delivered despite the challenges we faced”, Egba adds.
