Six companies from Romania, Azerbaijan, Germany, Russia, France and Portugal are interested in the rehabilitation of the irrigation systems Blindesti (rayon of Ungheni), Grozesti (rayon of Nisporeni) and Leova Sud (rayon of Leova) with MCC Compact funds. The Millennium Challenge Account Moldova received the technical and financial bids for the rehabilitation of the three irrigation systems on the Prut River ranging from 18 to 48 million USD depending on the system.
The bids will be evaluated by a group of national and international experts who will select the best proposal from the technical and financial points of view, TRIBUNA reports with reference to the institution’s press release. The evaluation will take into account the experience of the companies in similar works, their turnover, the available equipment and staff etc.
The rehabilitation of the irrigation systems with Compact funds entails the replacement of the electro-mechanical equipment with modern equipment, provision of pumps control electronic equipment, replacement of the hydrants and water supply network with high density polyethylene pipes, rehabilitation of the premises of the pump stations, installation of mobile meters to determine the amount of water used and other works.
There are more than 1300 agricultural producers operating in the area of the three irrigation systems on the Prut River. Only the irrigation system Grozesti is operational. It irrigates about 100 ha of farmland. The rehabilitation of the irrigation systems Grozesti, Blindesti and Leova Sud will enable the expansion of the irrigation land up to about 2667 ha and private investments for the further expansion of the irrigated land to about 1300 ha. The upgrade of the irrigation systems will enable the agricultural producers to reduce the operation and maintenance costs of the systems, use water for irrigation when they need it and reduce the water losses due to the polyethylene pipes.
The irrigation systems on the Prut River were put into operation in the 70s of the last century. They are partially functional and in disrepair. According to the estimates, the asbestos-cement pipes need to be replaced, most of the water supply pipes are damaged, the hydrants and vent valves are lacking, the pumps are damaged and need to be replaced and the premises are also destroyed.
Rehabilitation works are being carried out on two irrigation systems – Lopatna and Criuleni, both on the Nistru River. Previously MCA Moldova announced the bidding for the rehabilitation of other four irrigation systems on the Nistru River (Jora de Jos, Cosnita, Puhaceni, Roscani) and the evaluation of the proposals for the rehabilitation of these systems is under way.
The rehabilitation of the central irrigation systems is one of the objectives of the USD 262 mil. Compact signed in early 2010 by the Government of Moldova and the U.S. Government, acting through the Millennium Challenge Corporation. This grant assistance was provided as generous support of the American people for poverty reduction and economic growth in Moldova.
