U.S.- Mali Cooperation: 100 billion FCFA to Develop Office du Niger

January 16, 2010

MCC Special Advisor Cassandra Butts greets President Amadou Toumani Touré at the Alatona project site.

Saturday January 16, 2010 was a landmark day in U.S.-Mali cooperation in development.  President Amadou ToumaniTouré, U.S. Chargé d’affaires Peter Barlerin and Millennium Challenge Corporation Senior Advisor Cassandra Butts participated in the groundbreaking ceremony for two of the main infrastructre components of the Alatona Irrigation Project, one of the two projects of the Mali Compact.   Thousands of people from the Office du Niger zone came out to celebrate this step forward for the high potential area.  In addition to major improvements to the main conveyance system and the development of an irrigated perimeter the Alatona Irrigation Project will introduce innovative agricultural and water management practices as well as policy and organizational reforms aimed at realizing the Office du Niger’s potential to serve as the engine of rural growth for Mali.  As Senior Advisor Cassandra Butts remarked, “the partnership between the United States and Mali—through the MCC compact—is particularly strong and vibrant, reflecting an innovative approach to development assistance. We are proud of this results-centered relationship.”
 
Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) and its Malian counterpart, the Millennium Challenge Account (MCA), are guided by the principal that aid is most effective when it reinforces good governance, economic freedom and investments in people. The Alatona project is the result of the successful application of this principal in Mali.  Contracts have been awarded to the French consortium SOGEA-SATOM-RAZEL for the Alatona Irrigation Infrastructure for Tranche -1 (5,200 Hectares)  and to the Chinese firm Sinohydro Corp. Ltd. for the rehabilitation project for the Office du Niger Main Water Conveyance System.  A Malian firm has been awarded the contract for the rehabilitation of hydraulic gates and a Canadian firm is providing supervisory services for all three construction contracts.

The Alatona irrigation project will not only result in another 5,200 hectares of irrigated land but also continues the efforts of MCC/MCA to improve the ability of farmers to bring their products to market in an effort to improve food security in Mali and the entire region.  The MCC/MCA efforts include the construction of the Niono-GomaCoura road and the development of Bamako-Senou International Airport.  These efforts put in place the infrastructure necessary to open markets to Malian agricultural products throughout the region.