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Corruption and Nepotism of Integrated Agricultural Services Companies (IASCs) in the Gezira and Manaqil Scheme

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Corruption and Nepotism of Integrated Agricultural Services Companies (IASCs) in the Gezira and Manaqil Scheme

Historical Context The Gezira and Manaqil Scheme, founded in 1925, is one of Africa's largest irrigated agricultural projects. Historically, the government managed irrigation and technical specifications, while farmers handled cultivation. However, following economic liberalization policies and World Bank recommendations, the government began privatizing the scheme's assets, including the Agricultural Engineering Division (AED) and the Gezira railways.

The Establishment of IASCs In 2011, the scheme's administration opened tenders for private Integrated Agricultural Services Companies (IASCs) to replace public corporations. This process was marred by nepotism, with 18 of the 23 registered companies owned by leaders of the government-supported Farmers Union or relatives of the ruling National Congress Party (NCP). These private companies received $23 million in government funds from the Agricultural Bank of Sudan.

Corruption and Nepotism The list of company owners includes prominent political and military figures:

  • Al Liwaa Al Akhdar: Owned by Alfatih Abdoun (Islamic Movement leadership).
  • Sarasir: Owned by Ali Siddig Ahmed Albashir (the President’s cousin).
  • Seham: Owned by Salah Almardi (Farmers Union treasurer).
  • Abu Sneineh: Owned by the late Farmers Union leader Abdel Rahim Abu Sneineh.

Indicators of Corruption

  1. Misuse of Funds: Companies used government funds and preferential currency rates to import machinery, which was then diverted to private gold mining operations.
  2. Destruction of Infrastructure: Inefficient silt removal (digging deeper than necessary) destroyed the inexpensive gravity irrigation system to justify higher billing.
  3. Exploitation of Farmers: Companies raised service costs by 145% in the first season. Farmers who cannot pay debts risk losing their land to these companies.
  4. Technical Failure: A 2013 government review committee found that most IASCs lacked the technical and financial capacity to perform their tasks.

Recommendations

  • Repeal the legislation establishing these companies and re-establish the public AED.
  • Launch legal investigations into the unlawful use of Agricultural Renaissance funds.
  • Return the management of the irrigation system to the Ministry of Irrigation and Water Resources.
  • Raise awareness among farmers to prevent the seizure of their land by private companies.