MYS honors Chinese Ambassador

The Youth and Sports Minister, Eugene Nagbe, says the best way to solving unemployment in the country is to provide technical and vocational education to the youth. 

He said the newly constructed Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) in Gardnersville and other training facilities across the Country are to provide capacity building for instructors for those institutions in partnership with the Chinese.

The Government of the People’s Republic of China has constructed a modern campus at the MVTC. Expressing thanks and appreciation to the People’s Republic of China for its unflinching commitment to Liberia, Min. Nagbe presented the National Seal of Liberia to the Ambassador of China accredited here, Zhang Yue as a sign of appreciation.

Speaking at a Dinner organized by the Ministry’s Senior Management Team in honored of Shanxi Engineering Construction Group at the weekend, Minister Nagbe noted that in places where employment is available, it will be impossible to incorporate youth, who lack requisite training in trade, education, technical and vocational skills.

He said the dinner was basically organized to demonstrate Liberia’s appreciation to the People and Government of China and the Construction Company for their support to Liberia’s development. According to Nagbe, the Chinese have agreed to provide general services at the newly constructed MVTC for one year following the official turning over of the facilities to the Government of Liberia, stressing “this is a commitment that has not being embedded in other arrangements.”

He disclosed that as part of China’s continuous support towards Liberia’s recovery, 25 employees of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, comprising trainers, teachers/instructors as well as teacher’s aide are currently in China undergoing training, and that upon their return, they will be able to impact knowledge in the younger generation.

“We are partners with China; this is a set of partnership that we encourage all of our stakeholders to have; a partnership for the good of Liberia. So Mr. Ambassador, I will never get tired saying thank you for giving us a beautiful edifice, equipment for the facility and thank you for training our employees to be able to run the center properly.” 

For his part, Ambassador Zhang Yue said, the project is another symbol of China-Liberia relationship, noting that for decades, China has contributed to the educational sector of Liberia, especially in its efforts to recover from the 14-years civil conflict.

The Chinese Envoy said he is very pleased that the deadly Ebola virus disease did not fail them nor did it scare away the Chinese construction companies from the country, noting “Right after that our people quickly resumed their work and completed the construction project of the MVTC building and I am very pleased.” 

He noted that China is more involved in the post-war recovery efforts of Liberia, stressing that not only in its economic development, security and other areas, but education as well as which is one of the top priorities of Liberia. 

“This MVTC building is a very comprehensive complex of the center not only the classrooms, but the dormitory building and other facilities were completed right after the deadly Ebola outbreak in the country and it is a very good reason to celebrate,” he said. 

Ambassador Yue recalled that Liberian students were out of school because of the deadly Ebola crisis and vision that the newly completed edifice would be able to replenish the lost school year, noting that the China remains an important partner in the social and economic reconstruction drive of Liberia.

The Manager of the Shanxi Engineering Construction Group, Zhang Xiang, whose company was honored by the Ministry for such a great work, commended the Liberian officials for the level of support received during the course of the construction.

By Sally Gaye-Edited by Jonathan Browne