Details Emerge As Nigerian Government Rebuilds Collapsed School In Haiti

Details Emerge As Nigerian Government Rebuilds Collapsed School In Haiti

In an effort to strengthen the existing bilateral relations between Nigeria and Haiti, the Federal Government of Nigeria has successfully completed the construction of the Benoit Batraville High School situated in Saut-D’eau, Haiti.

This project was Nigeria’s response to the call for assistance from Haiti after the devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the country in 2010. The endeavor received support from compassionate Nigerians and the Red Cross Society.

Originally suspended in 2015 due to unforeseen circumstances, the Nigerian Government revived the project through its High Commission in Jamaica, which is also accredited to Haiti concurrently, in 2022.

After fulfilling due process requirements, the Mission awarded the contract to the Jamaican-based Benson Construction Company. Subsequently, despite various challenges including security concerns, the project commenced in February and was successfully completed in August.

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The structure was officially handed over to the Haitian Authorities on August 29 amidst great excitement. The handover ceremony was attended both physically and virtually by high-ranking government officials from both countries.

Present at the event were Nigeria’s High Commissioner to Jamaica, Ambassador Maureen Tamuno, who also holds concurrent accreditation to Haiti, Dominican Republic, and Belize; Mr. Nesmy Manigat, the Minister of Education of Haiti; Mr. Azad Belfort, Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Haiti, representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs; as well as senior government officials from Haiti.

Ambassador Tamuno, in her remarks, lauded the bilateral relations between both nations and expressed her joy at the successful completion of the project. She expressed profound gratitude to God for seeing the team through the project and took the opportunity to thank the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.

Ambassador Tamuno also extended her appreciation to the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar and his Haitian counterpart, Monsieur Jean Victor Geneus, as well as Nesmy Manigat, Minister of Education, Haiti, and the Municipal Council of Saut-D’eau for their unwavering support and cooperation in ensuring the timely and successful completion of the project.

She further encouraged the students and teachers to make optimal use of the new facility provided to them, expressing her willingness to revisit Haiti in the near future.

The top Nigerian diplomat also used the occasion to advocate and implore stakeholders, particularly the United Nations, to assist in restoring normalcy to Haiti.

Haitian officials commended the Nigerian government for the significant project, emphasizing that without the government of Nigeria, such an achievement would have been impossible.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Haiti, represented by the Director of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Azad Belfort, praised the Nigerian Government for their benevolence, particularly Ambassador Tamuno, for her tireless efforts towards the realization of this landmark project.

He recalled the close ties shared between Nigeria and Haiti through descendants of the Igbo community from Nigeria.

Belfort stated that the establishment of the school would further strengthen the diplomatic ties between both countries.

Also speaking, the Minister of Education, Haiti, Mr. Nesmy Manigat, commended Ambassador Tamuno and the Nigerian government for fulfilling their promise.

He said, “I was there in 2015 as Minister of Education, Haiti. A lot has happened. We have come a long way despite the educational and security challenges in my country, including problems of infrastructure. In spite of all those challenges, today, under Amb. Tamuno, Nigeria has delivered. We are indeed very thankful for the school project.”

Manigat noted that the project would go a long way to strengthen the bonds of co-operation and bilateral relations, stating that it was very important and timely for a small community such as Saut -d’eau to have a public building of that level which he described as the envy of others.

The School’s property covers an area of about 12,500 square meters (134, 548.9 Square Feet). The building spans 9,411 square meters (32,000 square feet) in area and stands 4.5 meters (15 Feet) high. It is enclosed by a fence perimeter of 1,250 square meters.

The building comprises an administration block housing offices for the Principal, Vice Principal, Secretary, Stationery and Printing rooms, and a restroom. Additionally, there are 16 standard-sized classrooms, a staff room with restroom, a canteen, a computer lab, and a storage room for the school.

There is also a restroom for auxiliary workers, an operations control room for electrical and plumbing operations, three double entrance doors, and two double exit doors.

The school features two playground areas, including a standard football field at the back of the building, and an area designated for auxiliary sports such as basketball and volleyball.

Furthermore, four new classrooms and auditoriums were constructed to serve as versatile spaces with mechanically collapsible wooden walls, flooring, walls, roof slabs, and drainage systems.