Agriculture Ministry hands over rehabilitated office to Pujehun

AYV News, August 20, 2024

As part of ongoing efforts to support President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s ‘Feed Salone’ initiative, the Sierra Leone Rice Agro-Industrial Cluster Project in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security (MAFS) has rehabilitated several key office facilities in Pujehun District.

These include administrative offices, a conference hall, a mechanical workshop, a dwelling facility for the District Agriculture Officer (DAO), and a block extension office in Gbondapi. The upgraded facilities are equipped with water and electricity, aiming to create a conducive environment for government officials to effectively carry out their duties.

During the handover ceremony, Deputy Minister II, Sahr Hemore, addressed the Pujehun community, emphasizing the critical role of Gbondapi farmers in the national effort to achieve food security. He underscored that the Ministry, through the Agro-Industrial Cluster Project, has provided an enabling environment for efficient and effective service delivery.

Minister Hemore reiterated that ‘Feed Salone’ is a comprehensive government initiative aimed at ensuring food security and generating revenue for Sierra Leone. He urged the Pujehun district to embrace agriculture as a business and capitalize on their historical success in food production.

He assured the community that the government is committed to restoring Gbondapi’s legacy as a vital food production area and improving livelihoods through agriculture.

The Minister commended the RAIC project for its efforts in upgrading MAFS facilities to a standard that enables staff to perform at their best.

Andrew L. Sorie, Senior Permanent Secretary, who chaired the ceremony, highlighted the significance of the newly rehabilitated structures and encouraged the Pujehun community to utilize them fully to achieve maximum productivity.

He reminded the audience that the current Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Henry Musa Kpaka, hails from Pujehun, and urged the district to lead by example in the ‘Feed Salone’ initiative.

John Maada Paul Sinah, RAIC Project Manager, officially handed over the rehabilitated structures to the Ministry, emphasizing the hard work that went into the renovations and the potential impact if the facilities are well-maintained. He assured the Ministry of RAIC’s continued support in ensuring the success of ‘Feed Salone.’

Lucy Koker, District Agriculture Officer, expressed her gratitude to the African Development Bank and the Government of Sierra Leone for their support in providing these facilities. She assured the government that her team would utilize the resources to lead the district in delivering on the ‘Feed Salone’ vision.

The Pujehun community accepted the challenge and pledged their full support to the Ministry’s efforts.