Gbarnga, Bong County – The Sustainable Urban and Rural Integrated Development Organization (SURIDO), with funding from the Government and People of Japan, has commissioned modern sanitation facilities at three academic institutions in Jorquelleh District, Bong County.
The project, valued at over US$86,000, benefits Kerkula Farm Public School, Gbelekpala Public School, and St. Matthew Academy in Gbarnga City, Bong County.
These facilities, including hand pumps, are set to significantly improve water access and hygiene for over 550 students and 11,500 residents in the surrounding communities, as the pumps will be available to the public after school hours.
Speaking at the dedication ceremony on Wednesday, June 19, 2024, at St. Matthew Academy, Japanese Ambassador to Liberia Mochizuki Hisanobu, who is based in Accra, Ghana, expressed his excitement about the positive impact of the bilateral relationship between Japan and Liberia.
He emphasized that the project exemplifies their shared commitment to addressing the pressing needs of students in these schools.
“These facilities will not only promote good health and hygiene but also create a conducive learning environment that ensures all children, regardless of gender, can attend school regularly and comfortably,” said Ambassador Hisanobu.
He highlighted that the funding aligns with the objectives of the Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGHSP), which addresses essential human needs such as health, education, and water supply at the grassroots level.
The Executive Director of SURIDO, Paul Jaiblai, described the commissioning as a historic moment for the organization and its partners. He praised the Japanese Embassy for its continued trust in SURIDO’s ability to implement such projects.
“I am very happy today because this is not the first time SURIDO is implementing projects on behalf of the people of Japan here in Liberia. In 2019, we received our first grant from the Japanese Embassy to implement similar projects for four schools in Suakoko District,” Jaiblai remarked. He noted that the previous projects had led to increased enrollment of girls in those schools, underscoring the positive impact of such initiatives.
Jaiblai also stressed the importance of sustainability, urging the administrations and students of the beneficiary schools to properly manage the facilities to ensure they meet their intended objectives. “The duration of the project is up to ten years, so we will continue to make follow-ups to ensure that the facilities are well taken care of because the monies used to build these facilities come from taxes paid by the citizens of Japan,” he emphasized.
Local officials, including Bong County Development Superintendent Selekee Kromah, District Education Officer Josiah Massaquoi, and Ministry of Public Works’ WASH Coordinator in Bong County Flomo Y. Zayzay, also expressed their gratitude to the Japanese government.
They appreciated Japan’s support in areas such as road and infrastructure development and urged the schools to maintain the new sanitation facilities to enhance the learning environment, particularly for adolescent girls.
The ceremony was well-attended by students, teaching staff, and community members, all of whom expressed their delight at the timely implementation of these much-needed facilities. The new sanitation infrastructure is expected to significantly improve the health and educational outcomes in these communities.
