A team from the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) Mission, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Food Security (MAFFS) and the National Commission for Social Action (NaSCA) on Wednesday, 9th August 2023, ended two -days of monitoring and evaluation of the $34.1 million Regional Rice Value Chain Project (RRVCP) in Bum Chiefdom, Bonthe District and the $52 million Sierra Leone Community Driven Development Project Phase 2(GIETRENK).
The Regional Rice Value Chain Project (RRVCP) aims to increase rice productivity in the country to improve food sufficiency in Torma Bom, Bum Chiefdom, Bonthe District.
The Sierra Leone Community Driven Development Project Phase 2 (GIETRENK) provides basic social amenities in the communities like hospitals, fish ponds, toilets facilities, poultry, market, technical training for the youths and the construction of roads to link farmers to the market etc. in the Ribbie Chiefdom, Moyamba District.
This monitoring visit is part of the IsDB mission’s objective in Sierra Leone which is to review and engage on the projects funds thereby discuss the challenges of these projects and map out the way forward in the implementation process.
The Country Operations Manager of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), Omar Davis, in his statement, commended the Project Coordinators and team for the work they are doing and admonished the beneficiaries to take good care of the facilities constructed to derive the intended benefits, which in turn would improve their livelihood which will attract more donors if they manage them carefully.
The Team lead informed his audience that the IsDB has supported many country’s projects in areas of education, Agriculture, Health, and Water.
The Commissioner for National Commission for Social Action (NaCSA), Chief Ernest Ndhomima, appreciated the IsDB for supporting the Commission to achieve its goals as stated in their mandate.
He noted that the Commission and the Government of Sierra Leone will continue to engage development partners and develop new ideas that will bring more project support to the people of Sierra Leone.
He appealed to the beneficiaries to take advantage of the opportunities by noting that they should take advantage and some responsibility for the development projects the Government and partners are bringing to their communities.
The community leaders from the beneficiary communities appreciated the bank for their support and committed to using the facilities to boost agricultural production.
The Projects Coordinators of the two projects talked about some of the technical and procurement challenges they faced in the implementation.
