LEER – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has handed over newly constructed health and education facilities to authorities in Leer County, Unity State, to improve services to local communities.
The facility, constructed by the IOM, was handed over to authorities on Monday, boosting access to essential healthcare services for residents of Leer County.
The facilities include two additional hospital wards and an isolation unit at Leer County Hospital.
The IOM also constructed four classrooms, a store, staff and head teacher’s offices, and toilet facilities at Mary John Primary School.
Speaking during the handover ceremony on Monday, Engineer Bayiak, an IOM representative, confirmed that construction had been completed and the facilities were ready for use.
“The ECRP project came with a full set of construction. Today, we are handing over two hospital wards, one for female and one for male, plus one isolation unit inside the hospital premises,” Bayiak said.
Gatjung Gatwang Tap, representative of the County Education Department, also urged pupils to protect the newly constructed school facilities and avoid damaging school property.
“Previously, some of you studied under the trees. Today, you must protect your school. This school does not belong to anybody; it belongs to you, the pupils,” Tap said.
He urged pupils to report anyone found damaging or writing on the school walls to the school administration or Education Department.
Leer County Commissioner Major General Stephen Taker Riak warned against vandalizing or selling materials from the newly constructed facilities.
“There are measures to be taken against the persons who always destroy the school and hospital fences. I directed you to arrest any suspect with metal like those of the school fence. I urge you to report them to the office of the commissioner for accountability for their actions,” Riak said.
Nyarek Kuol Makuai, a women’s representative, expressed appreciation to the government and development partners for supporting the construction of the facilities.
“I am very happy with the handing over of the hospital and education facilities to the local authorities. I thank the government and the organization partners for constructing the hospital in our area,” she said.
Makuai said the new health facilities would reduce the need for residents to travel to other areas to seek medical treatment.
“There is no need for people to travel to different places for treatment when services are now available in our area,” she said.
The facilities were constructed under the Emergency Crisis Response Project (ECRP), a government initiative implemented by IOM with funding from the World Bank.
The project is supporting development activities in Leer and Rubkona counties, as well as the Ruweng Administrative Area.
