The Ethiopian Ministry of Water Resources appointed the UK consultancy Mott MacDonald to design and supervise the construction of the Koga dam and irrigation development, part of the African Development Bank (ADB)-funded Koga Irrigation and Watershed Management Project, valued at US$ 50 million.
The project comprises three main components: the development of more than 6,000 ha of modern farmer managed irrigation schemes, implementation of an integrated watershed management programme and institutional capacity building. Irrigation development should benefit more than 12,000 households and help boost agricultural production in the area around Merawi, south of Lake Tana in the Amhara Region.
Mott MacDonald is working with Ethiopian consultants Metaferia Consulting Engineers and Water Works Design and Supervision Enterprise, to undertake the detailed design and construction supervision of the Koga dams associated with the project and the infrastructure for more than 6,000 ha of irrigated agriculture. Mott MacDonald will also prepare tender documents and undertake bid evaluations leading to recommendations for the award of a number of construction contracts. Its role in supervising construction encompasses the main dam, saddle dam, main, secondary and tertiary canals and drains, night storage reservoirs, land levelling, access routes and project buildings. Mott MacDon-ald is based in Croydon, UK.