ADRA Inaugurates the first and Largest Irrigation structure in Sao Tome and Principe.

History was made on the 16th of April when ADRA Sao Tome and Principe inaugurated the first and only concrete irrigation water reservoir in the country. This structure having a dimension of 65 meter in length, 30 meters in width and 8 meter deep is locate in Gratidão (Mesquita) zone of Sao Tome and was Financed by Chevron JDZ Ltd.

The minister of Agriculture Valdemira Tavares while thanking ADRA and Chevron said that this gift is not for Mesquita alone but rather for the people of Sao Tome and Principe as a whole. Emphasizing that the Water Reservoir structure will not only increase the all year round availability of water, but will also increase the number of farmers and also the number of people that sells the farm products in the markets, thereby reducing the acute unemployment problem in the country. She reiterated that with this structure that she was sure that in the near future, Mesquita and environ will have enough production even for Export. And pleaded for ADRA’s continued support in the agricultural sector.

The Managing Director of Chevron in Sao Tome Mr Tim Pearson in his speech thanked ADRA for good implementation of the Project even in the presence of sky rocketing inflation and glaring unavailability of necessary construction equipments. He lauded ADRA Capability, and in his word “We are glad our funds has be well managed and invested” and to show his satisfaction He announced that Chevron will be providing ADRA with more $41,000 for another phase of the project, which will involve rehabilitation of the River Dam that supplies water to the water reservoir and aids to the Farmers in the form of Tools, Seeds and Farm additives.
He further stated that Chevron and ADRA will carry out a study to rehabilitation and extend the irrigation water pipe line to other area so as to make optimal use of the increased water supply.

The President and Treasurer of the Mesquita and Uba Cabra Farmer’s Cooperative Association which has a membership of 299 registered members, with eyes filled with tears of Joy, said that “ADRA has not only given them Fish, But has also taught them to catch Fishes” and that they will eternally remain grateful to ADRA for coming to their rescue.

In His own words the ADRA STP interin Country Director Mr Eliseu Xavier thanked the Cooperative Association of Mesquita and Uba Cabra for their invaluable participation in the Project, CONSTEP Ltd and Mota Engil Ltd for donating freely, the Cement mixers used during the construction, all past and present Staffs of ADRA STP who were involved in the project, and all those, who in one way or the other contributed to the success of this life changing project.