Inauguration of 5 projects in Bahr El Gazal

October 28, 2011

Villagers from Koumagaye form a receiving line to welcome DCM Holmstrom to a rural site where USAID-funded wells and irrigation infrastructure were inaugurated. Pictured in the foreground on the far left is the Canton Chief (U.S. Embassy photo).

DCM Holmstrom is pictured here standing in the center, flanked on his left by Julien Denakpo (wearing a sports coat and tie), Country Representative for FHI 360; and by the Bahr el Ghazal Governor to the DCM’s right (U.S. Embassy photo).

DCM INAUGURATES FIVE PROJECTS IN BAHR EL GHAZAL REGION

 In the context of close-out operations for the USAID-funded Peace through Development (PDev) project, an Embassy delegation spent the September 10-11 weekend traveling in the Bahr el Ghazal region in order to inaugurate five projects that increase access to water in this semi-arid zone.  Two of the projects involved the construction of water towers which will serve both livestock and human populations, while the other three projects will increase agricultural production with irrigation infrastructure.  All five projects were completed under the supervision of FHI 360 (the American non-governmental organization that replaced AED), the prime implementing partner for PDev.  The Embassy delegation was headed by DCM Todd Holmstrom and included the RSO, Sgt Mike Ballard, Motor-pool driver Alhadj Abba Talba, and USAID Program Manager, Les McBride.  The FHI 360 delegation was led by Country Representative Julien Denakpo who was accompanied by local partners AEN and LEAD/Chad employees.  Both delegations were warmly received and hosted by local administrative authorities which included the Governor of the region, the Deputy Governor, the Prefect and the Mayor of Moussoro.  At each of the stops along the way, traditional and religious authorities were also represented.  DCM Holmstrom delivered formal remarks at each site, prefacing his comments with greetings and a self-introduction in Arabic.

Text: Les McBride