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Liberia

Nigerian UNMIL peacekeepers donate clinic to local community

Charlesville, Liberia - The Nigerian military contingent in the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has donated a newly-constructed US$14,000-clinic to the people of Charlesville, a town of 35 communities with a population of over 4,000 people, close to the Monrovia. The gift from the 11th battalion of the Nigerian Contingent

  • NIBATT 11 - is the latest in the long list humanitarian projects being undertaken by Nigerian peacekeepers in addition to their primary tasks of keeping the peace in war-torn Liberia. "This beautiful building will remind us, long after today, of the generosity, care and concern of all members of NIBAT11," said the Officer in Charge of the UN Mission in Liberia, Mr. Jordan Ryan as he commissioned the clinic.

The money for the construction of the clinic was raised through a voluntary contribution of ten US dollars (US$10) from each of the 850 members of the battalion, supplemented with a $1,000 donation by the Nigerian Defence Minister Mr. Thomas Aguiyi.

Mr. Ryan, who is also the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Recovery and Governance, said UNMIL would work closely with the Liberian Minister of Health to ensure that the clinic is provided with medical equipment, beddings, furnishing and potable water. "This clinic is an example of how the United Nations family is ready to work closely with Liberia so that every Liberian - man, woman and child - has access to good heath," Mr. Ryan added.

Liberia's Minister of Health, Dr. Walter Gwenigale, recalled the huge investments and sacrifice Nigeria has made over many years in restoring peace and stability to Liberia. "Now that they have helped us have peace, they are also helping us deliver those things that our people need during peace time," he added. The Superintendent of Margibi County, Levi Piah, described the donation as a "rescue mission" undertaken by NIBATT 11, saying the only health facility in the town was converted into a guesthouse during the civil war.

NIBATT 11 Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel John Enenche, said the clinic is his soldiers' modest contribution to Liberia's recovery process. "Our vision is to see this clinic transform into a full-fledged hospital in the near future, and generally boost the health sector of Liberia." He appealed to other concerned organisations, NGOs, businesses and individuals to help provide the clinic with medical equipment, beddings, drugs, electricity, borehole, and additional structures.

The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Nigerian Ambassador in Liberia, Mr. Eineje Onobu, the Ghanaian Ambassador, Major-General Francis Adu-Amanfoh, ECOWAS Ambassador, Ansumana Ceesay, UNMIL Force Commander Lieutenant-General Isaac Obiakor and Sector One Commander, Brigadier-General Donatus Edi, who also doubles as the Nigerian Contingent Commander.