On the margins of the Bangladeshi Formed Police Unit medal parade ceremony in Korhogo on Wednesday, 23 March 2016, the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for Côte d’Ivoire, Mrs Aïchatou Mindaoudou, went to Lapkolo, a village situated less than 10 km from the capital of the Poro Region (Korhogo) to participate in a handover ceremony for six projects.

I hope that more parents will send their chikldren to school

The United Nations Operation in Côte d’Ivoire (UNOCI) had provided more than 97 million FCFA to support these community initiatives to promote social cohesion as part of its Quick Impact Projects programme.

In this regard, differents villages in the sous préfecture of Korhogo, including Lapkolo have benefitted from the construction of three classrooms and a school canteen at a local public primary school, the drilling of a bore hole and a perimeter wall at a health centre.

In Waraniéré, two school buildings, an office and a canteen were rehabilitated, while a bore hole was drilled to provide a water supply and a 100 table/benches for the local school. In Lataha, UNOCI rehabilitated and equipped a maternity ward in the local health centre. In Nganon, the project involved the rehabilitation of the maternity clinic, the dispensary, showers and toilets. In Papara, in the department of Tengréla, a school building containing six classrooms, an office and a block of toilets was rehabilitated by UNOCI.

For the Special Representative, the six projects have been carried out by UNOCI as part of its mandate to accompany initiatives to strengthen social cohesion among local communities and promote national reconciliation.

Mrs Mindaoudou expressed the hope that the three schools would provide quality education for the boys and girls of the communities concerned. "I also hope that parents will send their children to school and that the percentage of children who abandon their education will fall even lower", she added. She welcomed the cohesion between the communities which facilitated work on the projects. Finally, the Head of UNOCI encouraged the villagers to maintain the current peaceful atmosphere so that they can continue to reap the social and economic dividends of peace.

Representatives of the six communities expressed their gratitude to UNOCI and the Special Representative.

For his part, the Prefect of the Region, Daouda Ouattara called on people to make good use of the buildings and infrastructures rehabilitated by the UN Mission. The ceremony also included artistic performances and balafon.