Monrovia – The United States Government through its Agency for International Development, (USAID) has funded its implementing partner JLN-B360/USAID SHINE PROJECT to construct, dedicated and turned over two modern Laboratory Science Complexes to the administrations of two Community Colleges in Lofa and Nimba Counties.
The labs will be used by students studying Sciences including Agriculture and Engineering. The Shine Project is sponsored by USAID and contracted by JLNB36.
The project is also supporting Nimba County Community College, Lofa Community College, Bassa Community College, University of Liberia, Cuttington University, and Liberia Institute for Public Administration.
Since the end of the Liberian war, the US Government has been instrumental in rebuilding the country’s deteriorated infrastructure.
While the economy has achieved a foundation for stability, the need for improved infrastructure will continue for facilities and institutions that support higher education (especially in Agriculture, Science, and Engineering, Natural Resource Management, Vocational Education and Agricultural Decentralization).
In an effort to provide support to the country’s educational sector, the US government through the USAID awarded JLN-B360 Joint Venture the Sustainable High Impact Infrastructure for Education and Agriculture (SHINE) Project Contract No. AID-669-C-17-0000 with the goal to rebuild damaged infrastructure, expand existing infrastructure and construct new vertical structures.
SHINE project focuses on six highly populated counties that surround Liberia’s key development corridors.
The counties are Bong, Grand Bassa, Lofa, Margibi, Montserrado, and Nimba. This contract will run from February 7, 2017 – February 6, 2020
The Modern Laboratory Facilities annexed the two Community Colleges in Lofa and Nimba Counties with another currently under construction at the Grand Bassa County Community College to be shortly dedicated and turnover to the people of Bassa.
The cost of the construction of the three modern science laboratory complexes in Lofa, Nimba and Grand Bassa is put at a little over US$1.3 Million.
At a brief dedicatory ceremony held at the Lofa County Community College (LCCC) on Thursday, April 4, 2019 in Voinjama City, the Chief of Party of USAID SHINE PROJECT Jacob M. Fayad described the modern Laboratory complexes in Lofa, Nimba and Grand Bassa as a “Goodwill” gesture from the government and people of the United States of America to the people of Liberia and as such, the beneficiary institutions must exert all efforts to ensure that the buildings are properly maintained and sustained.
According to Mr. Fayad says the modern science laboratory complexes will serve the purpose by enhancing the education sector, especially those of rural communities.
The complexes in both Lofa and Nimba Counties have four labs and two classrooms with four staff offices.
At the facility in Nimba County, there are two labs, a library, staff office, bathrooms with some chemical substances to jump-start the practical aspect of being taught in the classroom.
Marking remarks at the program, Dr. Maurice Ogutu, USAID Deputy Director who proxy for USAID Head of Mission, Dr. Anthony Chan, said the United States Government is excited about working with the government and people of Liberia to provide basic social services for its citizens.
Dr. Ogutu said the American people will continue to promote education and good governance, adding that the use and maintenance of the faculties are very cardinal.
At the same, LCCC President Dr. Samuel K. Ngaima “whole-heartedly” expressed gratitude to the US government for the modern science Laboratory and noted that the people of Lofa will continuously remain grateful to the American people.
According to Dr. Ngaima, the lab has enhanced the institution’s dream of elevating its status to a four-year degree granting University.
He disclosed that with efforts from employees of LCCC, a Nursing department comprising four classrooms is currently under construction with another commitment from Lofa citizens residing in the Americas to construct a modern facility for Technical Vocational Education Training (TVET) which he said is cardinal to the growth of any nation.
He also requested USAID to assist with the construction of staff quarters to enhance the school’s transition to a full university.
Meanwhile, the President of the Nimba County Community College (NCCC), Professor Edward Lama-Wonkeryor says enhancing sciences and technology course is important for the country’s education sector.
Like the Lofa Community College, NCCC is currently working with the National Commission on Higher Education to elevate the college to a full bachelor degree institution.
And Dr. Wonkeryor said the lab will enhance students and lecturers abilities.
The programs were also characterized by singing, dancing and other performances as a way of extending gratitude to the United States government for the enormous support to the Liberian people.