By Chernor Alimamy Kamara
The Executive Director of the National Fertilizer Regulatory Agency (NaFRA), Dr. Andrew BaMusa Koroma noted that, as part of their Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 deliverables, they will implement Regional Survey on Fertilizer distribution and utilization patterns in the country.
This was disclosed at the annual budget hearing in the ministry of Finance.
He pointed out that, they have carefully selected their deliverables, noting that research is a strong backbone in identifying key priorities and approaches to those problems that are a significant portion for the budget. He said, they have just completed the training of ten fertilizer inspectors couple of days ago, saying, they are all graduate in Agriculture and they understand the work of fertilizer to carry strong messages to farmers and other dealers.
He stated that, the primary function of fertilizer inspectors is to visit the stores of the dealers and ensure that the required standards to store fertilizer are met. He said, if those instructions are not followed, the dealers will be out of compliance.
“We did not only train the inspectors, we also brought 17 dealers to know if they would meet those requirements and what is required of them,” he said.
He reiterated that, they need fertilizer laboratory to ascertain whether the fertilizers brought to the country are of the right weight. He said if the lab is available, they will also test the quality.
“It is possible that importers bring in fertilizers that do not have the required potency,” he claimed.
Dr. Koroma emphasized that out of an approved recurrent budget of NLE 1.5 million (one million, five hundred thousand New Leones) for the first half of FY 2022 and an actual disbursement of NLE 750.000 (seven hundred and fifty thousand New Leones), they received no amount of money from the ministry to achieve their projects. Nevertheless they did not receive money from Finance; he said they were able to conduct one fertilizer inspection and testing with Sierra Leone Agriculture Research Institute (SLARI) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security (MAFS).
He went on to say that, they also held radio panel discussions, aired NaFRA jingles and also participated in regional meetings with National Federation of Farmers’ Associations.
NaFRA’s Executive Director highlighted that untimely disbursement of funds hinders the progress of the agency.
The Acting Deputy Director of Budget in the Ministry of Finance, Jacob T. Sessie noted that the first half budget for FY 2022 was not allocated to NaFRA due to late submission, but assured that it will be submitted to the Accountant General by next week and will roll over to 2023 budget.
However, the National Fertilizer Regulatory Agency submitted a budget of NLE 8,706 (eight thousand, seven hundred and six thousand New Leones) for the 2023 FY.
Copyright © 2022 Politico Online (07/10/22)
