Port-Gentil, like the sister cities of Lebamba, Oyem, Franceville, except that of Ntoum, should 14 years ago, benefit from a project to develop an agro-pastoral farm in order to fight against food dependency and to offer consumer products to the population at low cost. An envelope of 54 billion FCFA had been disbursed for this project launched in 2010, but which would have died of its own death, according to our colleagues from the daily L’Union in its delivery of September 1st.
To materialize this modern project in question in the agri-food sector, the highest authorities of the time had launched the order of several machines and other materials, in order to facilitate the completion of the said project and to offer a better yield in the short, medium and long term. Unfortunately, these cutting-edge technical tools never arrived at the terminal of the economic capital, just like the envelope which also took another direction. Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima, questioned on the issue, suggests that an investigation will be conducted and that responsibilities will be identified.
“As for the Port-Gentil project, we are looking for where it is because it never left the containers,” he warns.
The agro-pastoral farm of Port-Gentil, which is non-existent, not even embryonic but ghostly, should be part of the agropoles and sectors of activity sector that bring hope. The mission was also to provide a solution, a contribution to the production of food of high nutritional value (milk and meat) for the population and to the viability of the rural environment by creating jobs.
Since the launch date, no device has been seen on the site, the site itself no one knows where it is located even though billions of taxpayers’ money have been hastily disbursed. Some naysayers point the finger at politicians in the province, ministers close to the deposed president who hails from the province of Ogooué-Maritime. Residents of the economic capital would like light to be shed on this affair and for those responsible to answer for their actions.
Jean-Jacques Rovaria Djodji
2024-09-10 10:37:55
#Mysterious #disappearance #billion #disbursed #development #agropastoral #farm
What factors contributed to the failure of the agro-pastoral farm project in Port-Gentil, and how have they impacted local food security and economic development?
The Elusive Agro-Pastoral Farm of Port-Gentil: A Dream Deferred
In 2010, the city of Port-Gentil, located in the province of Ogooué-Maritime, Gabon, was set to embark on an ambitious project to develop an agro-pastoral farm [[2]]. The aim of this modern project was to reduce food dependency and provide consumer products to the population at an affordable cost. An envelope of 54 billion FCFA was disbursed to bring this vision to life [[1]]. However, 14 years later, the project remains a distant dream, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and unfulfilled promises.
The initial plan was to create an agro-pastoral farm that would provide high-quality food products, such as milk and meat, to the population, while also promoting the viability of the rural environment and creating jobs [[2]]. To achieve this goal, the highest authorities of the time had ordered several machines and materials to facilitate the project’s completion and ensure a better yield in the short, medium, and long term. Unfortunately, these cutting-edge technical tools never arrived at the terminal of the economic capital, and the envelope of 54 billion FCFA seemed to have vanished into thin air.
Prime Minister Raymond Ndong Sima has expressed concern over the project’s disappearance, stating that an investigation will be conducted to identify those responsible for the mishandling of funds [[2]]. He aptly summed up the situation, saying, ”As for the Port-Gentil project, we are looking for where it is because it never left the containers.”
The failure of the agro-pastoral farm project has sparked outrage among residents of Port-Gentil, who are demanding answers and accountability from those involved. Many are pointing fingers at politicians in the province, including ministers close to the deposed president, who hails from Ogooué-Maritime [[2]]. The lack of transparency and accountability in the handling of taxpayers’ money has eroded trust in the government’s ability to deliver on its promises.
While the agro-pastoral farm of Port-Gentil remains a ghostly presence, it is not the only city in Gabon to have been affected by failed agricultural projects. Other cities, such as Oyem, Lebamba, and Franceville, were also meant to benefit from similar projects, but they too have been plagued by mismanagement and corruption [[2]].
In contrast, there are initiatives that are promoting agricultural development in Gabon, such as the training program in fruiticulture offered in Libreville and Port-Gentil [[3]]. These efforts aim to equip farmers with the necessary skills to improve their productivity and contribute to the country’s food security.
As the people of Port-Gentil continue to wait for answers and justice, one thing is clear: the failure of the agro-pastoral farm project is a stark reminder of the need for transparency, accountability, and good governance in the management of public funds. Only through a collective effort to promote accountability and transparency can Gabon’s agricultural sector truly thrive.
