Japan gives US $6.4 million to build primary schools

The government of Japan has contributed US $6.4 million (CFA 4,746 million) to the Central African Republic (CAR) for the construction of 11 primary schools in the capital, Bangui, and surrounding suburbs. The funds will also be used for the rehabilitation of dilapidated buildings and classrooms, and for the training of local staff in the maintenance of these structures, Centrafrique-Presse reported on Wednesday. In a statement made on Saturday in connection with the agreement, the Japanese ambassador to the CAR, Nobuyoshi Takabe, was quoted by Centrafrique-Presse as saying that he hoped that "the process of democratisation and national dialogue continues to move forward in the CAR in order to earn the confidence of Central Africans and the international community". For his part, CAR Economic and International Cooperation Minister Alexis Ngomba noted that his government "greatly appreciated [Japan's] support and would be especially vigilant in ensuring an efficient use of these funds and upkeep of these schools". According to Centrafrique-Presse, Japan is one of the primary donors to the CAR, and often provides support through the Japanese construction company, Kajima, in the building of hospitals, roads, water systems.