Former manager of the Irrigation Company of the Upper Region (ICOUR), Dr Benedict Bonaventure Aligebam, continues to occupy an official bungalow nearly two years after his contract or arrangement with the facility was terminated.
The development has led the company’s current Managing Director, Dr Dominic Anarigide, to commute from his private residence to the ICOUR office rather than occupy the official accommodation.
The circumstances surrounding Dr Aligebam’s continued occupation of the bungalow have not been publicly explained.
Dr Anarigide assumed office in July 2025, succeeding Charles Aboyella after a period of uncertainty over the leadership of the state-owned irrigation company.
Despite the change in leadership, the official accommodation remains occupied by the former manager, leaving the current Managing Director to travel to and from work from his private residence.
The situation raises questions about the management of ICOUR’s official assets and whether formal steps have been taken to recover the facility for the company.
It also raises questions about what administrative arrangement, if any, has allowed Dr Aligebam to remain in the bungalow despite the reported termination of his contract with the facility nearly two years ago.
The issue comes at a time when the new management is seeking to reposition ICOUR and expand its role in agricultural production in the Upper East Region.
ICOUR has earmarked 500 hectares under the Tono and Vea irrigation schemes for tomato production, with management seeking to link farmers to identified buyers before production begins.
Dr Anarigide says the company is adopting a “produce to sell” approach to prevent farmers from producing large quantities of tomatoes without guaranteed markets.
The strategy is aimed at addressing previous market challenges that left some tomato farmers with unsold produce and financial losses.
ICOUR is also pursuing private-sector partnerships to provide farmers with inputs, financing and technical support.
But while management works to expand irrigation farming and improve the company’s operations, the unresolved occupation of the official bungalow presents a separate institutional challenge.
For now, Dr Anarigide continues to commute from his private residence to the ICOUR office, while Dr Aligebam remains in the official bungalow.
Source: Bolgafmonline.com| 102.7 MHz| Bolgatanga
