By Amos Harris
Bolupu City, Gbarpolu County, Liberia – A significant step towards bolstering local agriculture was taken yesterday with the official groundbreaking of an $80,000 agro-processing plant in Bolupu City. This collaborative initiative between the Government of Liberia and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is poised to transform the region’s agricultural landscape by focusing on the processing of cassava and rice, ultimately enhancing the productivity and livelihoods of local farmers.
The groundbreaking ceremony, held on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, underscored a joint commitment to strengthening food security and fostering economic empowerment within Gbarpolu County. The new facility will be constructed on a 2.5-acre parcel of land, strategically located near the Bolupu Substation and Agriculture Office.
The colorful event was attended by numerous key local officials, including the Superintendent of Gbarpolu County, the Development Superintendent, and Bolupu City Mayor Madam Siah Victor Kuah. Mayor Kuah expressed profound gratitude to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai and the UNDP, hailing the project as a “timely intervention to uplift our people.”
“This project will ease the burden of farmers in processing their crops and add value to their produce,” Mayor Kuah stated. “We are thankful to President Boakai and our international partners for putting our people first.”
Associate Building Construction (ABC) has been awarded the contract for the project, with Frederick M. Fobeh serving as Project Manager. Fobeh confirmed that construction has already commenced and is projected to be completed within a swift three-month timeframe.
“We have the manpower and technical capacity to complete this on time,” said Fobeh, acknowledging that ABC secured the contract through a competitive bidding process with the UNDP
Oramdo F. Armah, Assistant Minister for Technical Services at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, commended the UNDP for its dedication to rural development but also issued a stern warning against the theft of construction materials. “Any individual caught stealing construction materials will be dealt with; for every one steel rod stolen, the culprit will be required to replace it with three,” Armah cautioned.
Reinforcing the importance of community involvement, Madam Bynor G. Young, Director for Community Services at the Ministry of Public Works, urged residents to take full ownership of the project. “This is your project. It belongs to the community, and its success depends on how well it is protected and maintained,” she emphasized.
Mr. Boye Johnson, Project Manager of the Accelerated Community Development Programme, representing the UNDP, reiterated the organization’s unwavering commitment to local empowerment. “Our goal is to improve the lives of ordinary citizens through community-driven development,” Johnson explained. “UNDP Liberia remains a strong partner to the government in achieving national development priorities across sectors—sanitation, agriculture, economic development, and culture.”
Moses Robert Gbanyan, Deputy Minister for Extension at the Ministry of Agriculture, described the initiative as a shared responsibility. “This is a people-centered project; we thank the President and UNDP for giving Bolupu City this opportunity,” Gbanyan concluded.
The new agro-processing plant is expected to be a pivotal driver for agricultural development, significantly contributing to the region’s food security and economic prosperity.
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