BUCHANAN (LINA) -The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has dedicated two laboratories at the Grand Bassa County Community College (GBCCC) in Buchanan.
The campus was a scene of jubilation by students and faculty as the Director of Education at USAID, Dr. Rasheena Reid, GBCCC Board Chairman, Dr. Lawrence Bropleh and the College President, Dr. Samuel Monwell cut the ribbons to the facilities.
The US$1.3 million project is part of USAID’s Sustainable High Impact Infrastructure for Education and Agriculture (SHINE) project that is meant to improve Liberian schools, with the US government agency installing a similar project in Nimba and Lofa counties.
The laboratories were built by an America-based contractor firm, JLNB360, in the period of 18 months and consist of two science laboratories, classrooms, four offices, library and bathrooms also accessible to people with disabilities.
At the dedicatory ceremony Wednesday on the Paynesberry campus of the College; the Director of USAID Education Office, Dr. Reid said the annex containing the enlisted components interprets the U.S. Government’s commitment to support Liberia in its governance and development drive.
Dr. Reid said “we are proud to cut the ribbon today because without adequate access to infrastructure in rural areas, rural communities face far greater obstacles in obtaining proper health, education and other social services.”
She lauded the support from the College Board of Trustees, Administration and the construction company for the climax of the project, committing that the U. S. Government through USAID will remain strongly glued to collaborating with the Liberian government and other development partners to ensure maintenance and sustainability of the projects in Margibi, Nimba, Lofa, Montserrado and Grand Bassa counties.
The buildings now hosts physics, chemistry and biology practical sessions with specific impact on the Agriculture and Health Sciences departments of the college, while also serving senior students of high schools in the county.
It will also assist the high school students in preparing for the West African Senior Secondary Certificate Examinations (WASSCE) to ensure remarkable performance in the years ahead.
For GBCC, the laboratories will create an effective and holistic learning environment for future nurses and agriculturists who in the past faced challenges in practical experience of the theories taught in the classroom.
Prior to the construction of the laboratories, senior high students of more than twelve schools depended on the Bassa High School for practical studies in the laboratory for over a decade.
Addressing the audience, Dr. Bropleh, Chairman of the GBCC Board, expressed delight at the continued support of the American Government through USAID to Liberia, particularly in the education sector, noting that the laboratories will help bring to reality the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development component that emphasizes quality education in the nation.
“We are elated to be on the receiving end of such a gift from the people of the United States of America who continue to consider the citizens of Liberia as indeed a partner of relevance,” Dr. Bropleh said.
He observed that the development agenda of the U.S. Government for Liberia shows to the world that the ties between the two nations remain solid and promising, stating the U. S. Government is focused on helping to solve the nation’s problems.
On behalf of the Grand Bassa local leadership, the Development Superintendent, Flee Glay gave a pat on the back of USAID as he referenced several development projects carried out by the agency across the county, and appealed for the reconstruction of the Grand Bassa Community College damaged bridge.
He named the Coast Guard boathouse, bridge construction in District Number One, rehabilitation of roads in electoral Districts One and Two and support to other programs in the county.
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