First off: Aquarius Systems has provided equipment to over 50 countries around the World and has never failed to deliver a quality product with continually support for parts and knowledge. However, an aquatic weed harvester procured to remove water hyacinth on Lake Victoria in Africa has been sitting idle for three years as there are missing parts and mechanical problems.
The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission is investigating the procurement of a Sh76 million water hyacinth harvester.
The machine, procured by Lake Victoria Environment Management Project and funded by the national government and the World Bank, stalled immediately it was bought.
It was bought from Italy in 2016 after it was established that the weed can be mechanically removed from the lake. Technicians cite missing components and mechanical problems for its state of affairs.
The equipment has been idle for three years at the Kisumu inland port as the invasive weed it was meant to harvest continues to choke the largest fresh water lake in Africa. Some Sh2.3 million is needed to buy missing hooks.