The youth recreation Centre in the Attecoube municipality of Abidjan has been rehabilitated with financial support from the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire (UNOCI).

The youth Centre which was rehabilitated at the request of the National Programme for Social Cohesion (PNCS) and located in the Jerusalem neighbourhood of Atteccoube, was officially handed over to the community on Thursday 11 September 2014.



The rehabilitation was carried out within the framework of UNOCI's quick impact projects programme (QIPS) and was estimated at CFA 20 million francs, CFA 12 million (24,000 USD) of which was provided by UNOCI. The Centre comprises a conference hall and three offices which were completely retiled and repainted.

The Coordinator of UNOCI Abidjan regional office, Daniela Lupas, on behalf of the Special Representative of UN Secretary-General in Cote d'Ivoire, thanked the population of Jerusalem quarter for their commitment to the restoration of a lasting peace in Cote d'Ivoire. « The youth Centre is a place for meeting, sharing, and socializing for the youths and people of the municipality. It should contribute to strengthening the social fabric by serving as venue for the spreading of the message of peace, love and social cohesion. On the eve of the 2015 election, I call on you to work toward the creation and maintenance of a peaceful environment that is favourable to the holding of a free, transparent and democratic election, » Mrs. Lupas said.

The Director and Coordinator of PNCS, Professor Mariatou Kone said her institution was particular about realizing this project in Jerusalem quarter because the neighbourhood was a mosaic of different peoples and cultures which became fragile after two decades of crisis. She thanked UNOCI, especially its Civil Affairs section for its important contribution. « Today's ceremony is one more stone added to the consolidation of peace and the strengthening of social cohesion, » she concluded.



After officially receiving the keys of the building and a consignment of materials including chairs and a large TV screen, the Mayor of Attecoube, Paulin Claude Danho expressed joy and gratitude to UNOCI which, he said, had contributed immensely to the wellbeing of the people by assisting his municipality in the areas of health and education. « This hall is a cultural and recreation Centre. We would like it to play an additional role because, in order to achieve social cohesion, it is important to fight against idleness. This Centre will thus serve to educate and become a place of reflection on ways to assist the youths,» the Mayor suggested.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of state for Planning and development, the Chief of staff of the Ministry, Lacina Kouame Kouakou expressed satisfaction with the completion of the youth Centre which he said symbolizes the values of unity, sharing and understanding, all of which constitute the bedrock of social cohesion. He said the ceremony is like a remembrance and a guarantee of the future because Attecoube had paid a huge price during the post electoral crisis. « The rehabilitation represents a double symbol: it is first of all a symbol of a municipality which is healing its wounds following the tumultuous period which tore the community apart; it is also a symbol of renewal which marks the recovery of vitality of Attecoube which has been reborn after the crisis,» he concluded.