Duekoué, 24 September 2009... The United Nations Operation in Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI) has built the first primary school in Dedjean, a village situated 36 kms from the western town of Bloléquin.

The handing over of the keys of a three-classroom school building and latrines to the Secretary-General of the prefecture of Bloléquin was cause for festivities in this village of 500 inhabitants on Wednesday 23 September 2009. Previously, the children had to go to a neighboring village in order to be educated.

The building of the school, financed at the cost of 10,360,000 F CFA through the basket fund managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is part of the UNOCI's Quick Impact Projects programme. The project was carried out by UNOCI's Beninois battalion based in Guiglo.

The donation also included 60 desk-benches and school equipment.

The head of the UN delegation, General Anis Rahamane, urged villagers in Dedjean to maintain the school and send their children to it. "From this day, it is your duty to take care of this building and particularly to send your children to school", he told them. He encouraged them to continue the good collaboration with the Beninois battalion and promised other projects to benefit the population.

The representative of the mayor, Keinan Emile, thanked UNOCI for its actions on behalf of the population and its contribution to the crisis-resolution process. "Having a school, for us, means opening Dedjean to development," said Mr. Keinan.

The Secretary-General of the prefecture of Bloléquin, Sahouela Bahé, paid a tribute to UNOCI whom, he said, had marked its presence in Cote d'Ivoire with concrete actions. "Take care of this architectural jewel, make it your priority and your property," he said. Speaking to the inspector of primary education, Mr. Sahouela asked him to do all within his power to ensure that Dedjean's school opens its doors this year.

Mr. Jean Baptiste Pole, representing the sponsor of the event, thanked UNOCI for the building of this project, which will enable Dedjean's children to take the first steps toward success. He gave a batch of school stationeries to accompany UNOCI's initiative and encouraged children to get ready for school.

A delegation comprising traditional chiefs from Bloléquin and its neighborhood, representatives of the education, administrative and political authorities, UNDP and UNOCI's sections in Duekoué took part in the ceremony.