Margibi County Senator Nathaniel F. McGill has formally requested the Liberian Senate to summon Agriculture Minister Alexander Nuetah to provide a comprehensive update on two major World Bank-funded agricultural programs amid allegations of fund mismanagement.
In a letter addressed to Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, Senator McGill expressed concerns over the implementation of the Smallholder Agriculture Transformation and Agribusiness Revitalization Project (STAR-P) and the Rural Economic Transformation Project (RETRAP), which collectively amount to approximately $200 million. Sources within the Boakai administration have alleged that some government officials are diverting funds intended for these programs to personal projects.
McGill emphasized the need for transparency and accountability in the disbursement of loans under these initiatives. “Given that this program involves loan disbursement, it is important that we track its progress and ensure the funds are being utilized effectively to benefit our farmers and strengthen our agricultural sector,” McGill wrote.
The STAR-P program, launched under the previous administration, allocated over $40 million to provide microloans to small farmers across Liberia. McGill’s letter calls for a detailed breakdown of fund distribution, the number of beneficiaries, their locations, and the current management and implementation process.
Meanwhile, the World Bank’s most recent implementation report, archived on October 1, 2024, indicates that RETRAP remains on track to achieve its development objectives. According to the report, the project has reached 64,572 direct beneficiaries, 50 percent women, against a target of 96,000.
The report also highlights improvements in agricultural productivity. Cassava yields have increased by 56.8 percent, while rubber, pork, and poultry yields have risen by 16.7 percent, 51.6 percent, and 160.5 percent, respectively. RETRAP has also supported 10,000 smallholder farmers in cultivating over 15,000 hectares of rice and 2,600 farmers growing 2,700 hectares of cassava through productive partnership models.
Despite these reported successes, concerns persist regarding managing funds and equitable access to resources. McGill’s call for an inquiry signals growing political pressure on the Boakai administration to ensure public funds are not misappropriated. The Senate is expected to deliberate on McGill’s request and may summon Minister Nuetah to address the concerns raised about the integrity and transparency of the agricultural programs
