VIP takes over ASIP

Tamale, (Northern Region) 22nd July '99,

The newly established Village Infrastructural Project (VIP) is to absorb all uncompleted projects and other liabilities of the Agricultural Sector Improvement Project (ASIP) which has now been phased out.

The Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MOFA), is negotiating with the World Bank which is responsible for the two projects for the conclusion of uncompleted projects which are of crucial importance to the beneficiary communities and district assemblies which have met all financial requirements.

Dr Kweku Agyeman-Mensah, VIP National Co-ordinator made this known in Tamale on Tuesday when he addressed a meeting of representatives of 14 district assemblies from the Northern, Upper East and Upper West Regions that have been listed to benefit from the VIP.

VIP is aimed at empowering local communities and beneficiary groups to identify, plan, implement and maintain small village-level infrastructural investments.

The meeting which was attended by district chief executives, Co-ordinating Directors of Administration and members of the district assemblies, discussed the rationale, objectives and components of the VIP as well as its eligibility criteria, procurement, disbursement and information requirements over a two-year development plan.

Dr Agyeman-Mensah said the 60 million-dollar five-year-project would provide rural water, transport, post-harvest infrastructures, and poverty alleviation programmes.

It is targeted at Ghana's over 64 per cent peasant farmers classified as poor to raise their earning capacities and standard of living.

He said a consignment of 70 pick ups and 120 motor bikes is expected soon to add to the 33 pick ups already supplied to the field officers to facilitate the project's implementation.

Dr Agyeman-Mensah charged district chief executives to monitor and supervise every aspect of the project to ensure its success.

Mr Brown Matthew Oppong, the project engineer cautioned the beneficiary district assemblies against fraudulent practices especially in procurement procedures.

He warned that offending districts would be blacklisted.

GRi