By RODRICK DESURI
Auki
The rural ABPO project recipients in Malaita Province, especially those involved in livestock, have expressed their frustrations to the responsible procurement staff of the SIART programme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock regarding the delay of their materials and tools.
Their concerns surfaced as they fear their projects may be terminated or turned down if they fail to complete them and meet the project timeframe.
The chairman of one of the ABPO recipient groups along the south road, who requested anonymity, said that some of their materials and tools have not been delivered since their first tranche.
He said they have received incomplete materials and tools, as well as a wrong list of materials that were not included in their procurement materials list.
“We have received incomplete materials and tools needed for the project. Also, some materials that we didn’t list on our procurement lists were delivered.
“We have noticed this since receiving our first tranche, and the same thing happened in this second round,” he said.
In an interview with Ruth Mae, one of the young professionals assigned to monitor and assess the SIART projects, she said they have received the concerns and are trying to inform the procurement staff responsible for the issue.
She said the procurement staff in Honiara need to know because they are the responsible staff for it.
“We have received the concerns and frustrations, and we have sent messages trying to reach the responsible procurement staff, but our attempts haven’t succeeded.
“The MAL procurement staff are the responsible officers for the delay because they are the officers who do the procurement,” she said.
According to the SIART project, the recipients and stakeholders are urged to adhere strictly to the stipulated timeframe for the completion of the projects, as this initiative aims to build sustainable agriculture by the end of 2026.
SIART currently has 16 ABPOs in Malaita Province involved in piggery farming, representing a $6.99 million investment.
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