Plenary of the House of Representatives has mandated its committees on Agriculture, Banking and Currency and Public Account to invite the Central Bank of Liberia (CBL) Governor and investigate why money intended for the agricultural sector has not been expended.
The decision was a result of a communication from River Gee County District #2 Representative, Francis Young, raising concerns that the over US$6.5 million intended for the sector has not been expended on farmers who are the beneficiaries of the funds.
During Tuesday’s session, Young said the US$6.5 million was allotted in 2015, with the help of former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf through the Agenda for Development and in an effort to buttress Liberians who have been incapacitated as a result of the war was infused into the agriculture sector.
Young, who is Co-Chairman on Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, said it is important for the right things to be done when it comes to empowering ordinary Liberians.
The River Gee lawmaker further indicated that whatever funds is intended for the agric sector in Liberia must be utilized to the fullest to be on par with other nations within the sub-region of West Africa in terms of agricultural development.
Young said it will take the efforts of all, including the House of Representatives,, to support President George Weah to promote the agricultural sector, especially the smallholder sector which has been directly affected as a result of the prolonged civil crisis.
The transformation of the sector from subsistent to mechanized, according to Young, will ideally build the broken economy President Weah inherited as the sector has the potential to provide substantial employment opportunities for the youths as well as income generation of the locals.
LINA
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