Some residents in Sasstown and central Louisiana have accused Montserrado County District #1 Representative, Ruggie Y. Barry of abandoning the Gari Factory built in the township.
Community dwellers said, the closure of the factory in Sasstown has caused many of the locals to lose their jobs, and self-employment opportunities for both youths and the elderly people.
The Chair of Gbowee Community Jefferson Hoggard said, people who should have benefited from the cassava processing plant
are currently out of jobs.
Hoggard insinuated that Rep. Barry is the one who headed the donor driven initiative before she became a lawmaker, and should have done everything possible for the upkeep of the factory.
He also alleged that the representative is currently out of the district like it was in time past to see the people struggling.
“Sasstown in Louisiana Township is home to Rep. Barry, and this is where she grew up and acquired properties.”
While Rep. Barry is yet to address the issue, Hoggard said, the factory is an asset to the Liberia Business Incubator with value chain in cassava production. It was funded by the United States African Development Foundation (USADF). The project was to enhance rural community women livelihood through cassava commercialization.
The construction of warehouse and storage facility was also done by the Globally Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.
