REPORT ON GUINEA AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION AND TRAINING PROJECT

PROJECT PURPOSE WAS TO IMPROVE AGRICULTURAL SYSTEM AND RELATED RESEARCH FACILITIES THROUGH US TRAINING OF GUINEAN STUDENTS, DEVELOPMENT OF A 135 HECTARE DEMONSTRATION RESEARCH FARM, CONSTRUCTION AND EQUIPPING OF A RESEARCH LAB, AND IMPROVEMENT OF EXISTING FACILITIES. TEAM REVIEWED AID/W AND FIELD DOCUMENTS; MET WITH AID/W, USAID, AND GOG OFFICIALS, AS WELL AS THE US AMBASSADOR; AND VISITED CONSTRUCTION SITES. PROJECT IS OFF SCHEDULE; OF $7.7 MILLION GRANT, ONLY $415,000 EXPENDED AS OF 12/31/78. WITH NO USAID MISSION TO GUINEA, USAID/SENEGAL OVERSEES ACTIVITIES. HOWEVER, AID IS EXPANDING GUINEA OFFICE, AND A FULL TIME OFFICER IS RECOMMENDED FOR THIS PROJECT. CONSTRUCTION DELAYS HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY PROLONGED NEGOTIATIONS WITH US ARCHITECT/ENGINEER CONTRACTOR, LATE APPOINTMENT OF GUINEAN PROJECT CO-DIRECTOR, AND MODIFICATIONS IN THE PROAG AND CONSTRUCTION BID SOLICATATION. IN ADDITION, RAINY SEASON HALTS CONSTRUCTION BETWEEN MAY AND NOVEMBER. EVALUATION RECOMMENDED THAT USAID/SENEGAL COORDINATE WITH PROJECT OFFICER IN GUINEA TO REVISE PROJECT DATES, INCLUDE MEASURABLE PROJECT GOALS ON PROAG, AND PREPARE A PES, AS NONE HAD BEEN COMPLETED SINCE PROJECT INCEPTION. DESPITE NEED TO EXPEDITE CONSTRUCTION, TEAM ALSO RECOMMENDED PREPARATION OF A MISSION-ASSISTED GOG MAINTENANCE PLAN FOR FACILITIES CONSTRUCTED DURING THE PROJECT. EXTRAVAGANT VEHICLES WERE PROCURED FOR THE PROJECT WHICH REFLECT A LACK OF OVERSIGHT AND QUESTIONABLE USE OF AID FUNDS.