The United Nations Resident Representative in Nigeria, Mr Dauda Toure, has appealed to the Federal Government to complete the renovation of the UN House in Abuja, destroyed by explosion in August, 2011.
Speaking at the UN Day Celebration on Friday in Abuja, Toure said that the UN workers and partners were looking forward to returning to “a conducive work environment’’.
He commended the Nigerian Government for its hospitality and offer to rebuild affected sections of the structure.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government had in 2012, approved N5.2 billion for the reconstruction parts of the building destroyed by the blast.
Since then, the UN agencies in Nigeria have been operating from temporary accommodations provided by the Nigerian government.
Toure praised the courage, resilience and commitment of the UN staff in Nigeria to their jobs “after the bombing of the building which killed no fewer than 23 staff and partners.”
“We will forever remember them and their families,’’ he said.
He commended the Federal Government’s efforts at containing the spread of Ebola virus in the country, adding that the government also deserved commendation for eradicating Guinea worm, as declared by the World Health Organisation (WHO).
He said the UN system in Nigeria, working with close partners and government, had recorded giant strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS in the country.
According to him, we have recorded significant drop of a little over 30 per cent in new infections in the past 10 years and the number of people receiving anti-retroviral drugs have also increased considerably.
In his goodwill message, the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Dr Martin Uhomoihbi, acknowledged the unique role of the UN in maintaining international peace and security in the 69 years of its establishment.
“Exactly one year today, the UN will be 70 years and the Bible says that days of our years are 70 years and 80 years if we are strong.
“I know that the UN will live much longer than that,’’ he said.
On renovation of the UN building in Abuja, Uhomoihbi said that it had reached 80 per cent completion and pledged Nigeria’s commitment to the project.
A major highlight of the event held in the precincts of the bombed UN building was the wreath laying ceremony for fallen UN staff. (NAN)
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