The Pakistani contingent of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) has provided a resource centre for schools in Tubmanburg, provincial capital of Bomi County, some 60 kilometres west of Liberia s capital, Monrovia, the Inter-Service Public Relations (ISPR) said. The Pakistan-Liberia Friendship Centre, located at C.H.Deway High School, has 20 computers, a library and sewing machines, and is to enhance technical and vocational skills to about 600 students in the area. Commissioning the centre, UNMIL Force Commander Lt.Gen Chikadibia Isaac Obiakor lauded the Pakistani contingent for their active involvement in building peace through community empowerment projects such as renovation of schools, provision of computers and educational materials and skills training. The Commander called on Liberians to take the initiative to build their country saying, self help is a very necessary attribute in national development. Bomi County Education Officer Amos Folley, on behalf of the Ministry of Education, thanked the Pakistani contingent for supporting the development of education in the country. For his part, Pakistani Contingent Commander Brigadier General Ahmad Nawaz said the resource centre is the manifestation of the services rendered by Pakistani troops over the years to strengthen peace in Liberia. He reaffirmed the commitment of the Pakistani peacekeepers to help improve the quality of education in Liberia. The center signifies the love, cooperation and support given to the peacekeepers during the implementation of their assigned mandate, said Nawaz, commending the local communities for making his contingent s mission fruitful through their friendly relations. The Principal of the C. H. Deway High School, Rev. David Ballah said the centre would help enhance the teaching-and-learning process in the school by giving students the opportunity to acquire skills through practice. The ceremony was attended by UNMIL Military Chief of Staff, Brigadier-General Emmanuel Quist, Bomi County Development Superintendent, Ms. Rebecca Benson, local officials and other senior UNMIL personnel.
