1 June 2015 - A new UNMISS-constructed community center in Western Equatoria State’s Nagero County would greatly assist in promoting peace and culture, a senior government official said today during the handover ceremony.

County Commissioner Minallah Joseph said the facility would also boost development and other vital activities in the area. “This is a center where people can come and sit and iron out issues that pertain to the community, that pertain to our county, that pertain to our people in the villages.”

Funded as an UNMISS Quick Impact Project by the UNMISS Recovery and Reintegration Programme at a cost of $50,000, the center comprises a hall, office space and store.

Construction, carried out by the national/indigenous organization Rural Development Action Aid (RDAA), began in November 2014 and was completed last month.

Nagero Paramount Chief Natale Ngoringbara commended UNMISS for providing the center, promising that the community would be kept it clean and well maintained.

Felistus Ugi, UNMISS Administrative Officer in Western Equatoria, urged Nagero residents to come together in using the center to realize development. “The idea behind this resource center is to bring together youth, women and the whole community.”

Seven similar projects have been completed in Mundri East, Mvolo, Maridi, Ezo, Tambura and Yambio Counties, providing school classrooms, office space for police and corrections personnel and boosters for the government-owned radio station in Yambio.