BOPOLU CITY, May 7 (LINA) - Gbarpolu County Superintendent Allen Gbowee, says the Liberian Government will not tolerate the misuse and abuse of government-sponsored projects by citizens.
He gave the warning in a statement made on his behalf by his administrative assistant, Mr. William Mulbah, at the launch of the County Sensitization on Smallholder Agricultural Productivity Enhancement and Commercialization (SAPEC) Project on Wednesday in Bopolu City.
He observed that in the past, individuals entrusted to implement government projects failed to fully perform their duties, creating embarrassment to the county administration.
He encouraged farmers in the county to take advantage of the SAPEC Project which, he noted, will build their capacity and increase their individual incomes from agricultural produce.
He expressed gratitude to the government through the County Agriculture Office, for selecting Gbarpolu County as one of the beneficiaries of the SAPEC Project, noting that it will go a long way in improving the lives of ordinary citizens of the county.
For her part, Madam Weedor Cegbeh of the Gbarpolu County Agriculture Office, admonished farmers in the county to grow more cassava and rice to increase their income generation capacity.
Giving an overview of the SAPEC Project, Project Coordinator William K.G. Kawalawu said the project is being implemented in twelve counties, namely, Grand Bassa, Rivercess, Maryland, Grand Kru, River Gee, Sinoe, Margibi, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Montserrado and Gbarpolu.
Kawalawu said the project seeks to reduce rural poverty and household food insecurity by increasing income for rural farmers and rural business people, particularly woman, youths and the physically challenged.
He said the project is also designed to transform 25,000 households to commercially-oriented agriculture to foster economic growth.
He said the SAPEC Project is being financed through a grant of US$46.5 million received from the Global Agriculture and Food Security Program and a loan of US$6.4 million from the African Development Fund (ADF).
The launch brought together cooperatives, women groups, youths, farmers and government officials.
LINA EDM/TSS/PTK