The Chief Officer for Economic Planning, Samuel Ekale, led a County Implementation Committee (CIC) to inspect the Fresh Produce Market at Canaan, and the Agricultural Training Centre (ATC) at Naotin, Kanamkemer Ward.
The projects costing over Sh100 million, are investments financed through the Kenya Devolution Support Program (KDSP), funded by the World Bank.
The inspection was aimed at assessing the progress status of the projects. The completion period of the two projects elapsed in May(market) and August (ATC) this year.
Chief Ekale told the engineers managing the projects to ask the contractors to fast-track the remaining works, until the end of December, to pave the way for the launch next year.
He stated, “The delay in the project’s completion, denies the people of Turkana the benefits that come along with the huge investment projects.”
Once complete, the Department of Finance and Economic Planning will facilitate the handover of the market and training center to the Departments of Trade and Agriculture respectively in January 2023.
The Chairperson to the CIC, who is also the KDSP contact person, Francis Lokwar, said the fresh produce market is almost complete, except for additional works going on the entrance canopy, floodlights, water storage, and general landscaping, which were not part of the original scope of works.
He added that once operationalised, the facility with 112 stalls, will generate more income to the government coffers.
Lokwar also noted it is going to provide job opportunities for both youth and women groups in the area.
Equally, the Centre will provide training opportunities for agricultural officers and the farmers; for skills and knowledge necessary to support investment in agricultural production.
During the visit, the technical team observed that the two facilities needed boreholes as a matter of immediate intervention for a steady supply of water, should the social amenities be made functional next year.
Members of the team present included; Phoebe Ekali (Director, Environment), Wilson Ejie (Deputy Director, Internal Trade), Dennis Machoka (Structural Engineer), Jacob Mutua (KDSP Safeguards), and Fred Muya (Snr. Procurement Officer).
