More rehabilitated irrigation systems in Moldova to be put into commission before term

Chisinau, 24 March /MOLDPRES/ - Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici today chaired a meeting of the Supervisory Board of the Millennium Challenge Account Moldova (MCA Moldova). The participants in the event discussed the progress of the U.S. Government’s Compact programme, the government’s communication and media relations department has reported.

According to the information, if construction works continue with the same enhanced pace, at least three new restored irrigation systems will be put into operation two months earlier.

MCA Moldova Executive Director Valentina Badrajan stressed that all construction companies would complete the rehabilitation of the irrigation systems in Puhaceni and Roșcani, eastern Anenii Noi district, and Jora de Jos, central Orhei district, in May-June, although the works had been previously  planned to be completed in July. Presently, eight irrigation systems are under restoration at a fast pace and small delays caused by weather conditions were overcome. The irrigation systems from Cosnita, Blindesti, Grozești, Leova, and Chircani-Zirnesti will be put into commission in August, this year. At the same time, Valentina Badrajan said that farmers from Criuleni and Lopatna could already use the irrigation systems put into operation in late 2014.

To ensure the work of the restored irrigation systems, the Compact programme provides for the purchase of equipment for maintaining new irrigation systems in the coming months. Also, employees of the Irrigation Water User Association will be trained to manage the rebuilt irrigation systems.

At the same time, the length of the reconstructed Sarateni-Soroca highway was extended from 92.5 kilometres to 95.5 kilometres of national roads and 32.2 kilometres of local roads. The shortcomings committed during reconstruction works will be removed by September 2015.

At the end of the meeting, the Supervisory Board approved a report on the actions undertaken by MCA Moldova to exclude cases of fraud and corruption while carrying out the Compact programme.

Prime Minister Chiril Gaburici appreciated the results achieved in the implementation of the Compact programme and the professionalism of the MCA Moldova team. "We want to deepen cooperation with the U.S. Government through the Compact programme. The Moldovan government will make sustained efforts to gain the confidence of foreign partners", said the prime minister.

(Editor M. Jantovan)