Audit of Liberia agricultural research and extension II project -- project no. 669-0188

The audit covers the period 1984-3/90. Progress has been seriously impeded by the GOL"s total political and financial collapse and the current civil war. The chances of a continuation of activities as planned is remote. Even before these circumstances, however, there was no evidence that the project was achieving its purpose because documentation of research results and applications is almost totally lacking. Other than a listing of research programs, no publications or reports were available since 1985. CARI also lacks a written manual defining responsibilities and establishing policies and procedures in each functional area. The management operates largely on an ad hoc basis without formal procedures and guidelines. Some CARI facilities are inadequate for efficient and productive research. For example, the soil laboratory is only marginally operational. Some of the key scientific instruments are in need of repairs. Raw materials vital for soil analysis, such as chemicals and supplies, are either inadequate or unavailable. There is no full-time supervisor, and no entries have been made in the laboratory"s log book for the past six months. CARI is capable of providing electricity and water for only eight hours a day, which limits productivity. Plans to construct several facilities (an insect-proof screen house, a seed quality laboratory, fertilizer and agro-chemical buildings, and four houses for staff) have not yet been implemented due to funding shortages and architectural and design problems. Inventory records at CARI are incomplete and improperly maintained. Several items, such as computers, projectors, and photocopying machines, were not recorded in CARI"s stock records. Vehicles logs were also not maintained.