Devolution Cabinet Secretary Eugene Wamalwa and Busia Governor Sospeter Ojaamong yesterday commissioned the construction of Dykes along the banks of River Malakisi in Amoni, Teso North Sub County.
Wamalwa was addressing flood victims from Teso North and Teso South at Machakusi Primary School.
He presided over the distribution of iron sheets to flood victims.
Wamalwa said he has directed Rift Valley Water Works Service Board to avail a contractor on site on Sunday to start construction of Dykes.
The order followed concerns raised by residents from flood hit areas and Amukura West MCA Abiud Ochilangole.
The rep appealed to the CS to find a lasting solution to the perpetual flooding along River Malakisi and River Komiriai.
“Teso is an agricultural region which does not need relief food, the construction of dykes will offer short- and medium-term solutions to flooding along the riverbanks,” the CS said.
Eugene said long term solutions to flooding in Teso region will be the construction of the Sh5billion Kocholia Multipurpose Dam and Sh5b Angolol dam funded by the African Development Bank and Korean Exim Bank.
The CS said that construction of dykes in Budalangi had helped end flooding in the region.
He added that the Sh10b Lower Nzoia irrigation project will help end flooding.
The MCA had also raised concerns over the move to centralize relief food distribution at Amukura sub county headquarters.
Wamalwa directed the provincial administration to decentralize relief food distribution with immediate effect.
He warned flood victims not to sell or give out their iron sheets but to use them to construct houses.
Chief Officer in the Office of the Governor in charge of Disaster Management Ezekiel Okwach thanked the CS for being a friend of the County.
He said a permanent solution to flooding in the region will bring peace to families whose only focus will be to increase food production.