By Septimus Senessie in Kono
Residents of Bangambaya Village in Sandor chiefdom, Kono district have accused the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) of squandering over Le 38 million, funds meant for the construction of a warehouse and a drying floor.
The village headman, Kai Gboimakowa, told Politico that in 2010 the intergovernmental organisation approached them and identified their village for the construction of a grain store, warehouse and drying floor facilities.
He said they were told that at the completion of the store they would use the facilities to dry up grains and store them for protection.
The headman said “we were happy and so we provided them with a piece of land for the project. We also promised them of our services through the provision of local materials.”
He expressed dissatisfaction over IFAD’s continued hold onto their land “for so long” without developing it or allowing them to put their local resources into the project.
Councillor of Ward 69, John Trye, confirmed that IFAD’s award of contract involving the construction of a grain warehouse and a drying floor was supposed to have been completed three years ago.
He also claimed that the company contracted for the said work, AB&I Construction Services, withdrew on allegations that funds for the construction work were too small.
“We as councillors are not happy with IFAD for the long delay in the execution of the project which they have already budgeted for,” he lamented.
The contractor, a certain Mr. Bah who refused to give his full name, said that in 2010 they were awarded the contract following a competitive bidding process but that they could not undertake the project for reasons he also refused to give.
National Project Coordinator for IFAD told Politico on telephone that the contracts were indeed awarded in 2010 to the said contractor.
Mohamed Tyjan Kellar said: “the project was cancelled because the contractor did not show up to do the work.”
But when asked about the whereabouts of the money meant for the said project, Keller said that he could not tell.
(C) Politico 10/09/13
