Date Published: 08/28/11

Nigeria will help reconstruct UN Building -President Jonathan

President Goodluck Jonathan

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has said Nigeria will help in the reconstruction of the United Nations’ building destroyed by a bomb blast last Friday.

President Jonathan was speaking to the United Nations’ Deputy Secretary-General, Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, at State House, Sunday.

He said the Nigeria Government would offer temporary accommodation to the United Nations to enable them “continue doing the good humanitarian work you have been doing”.

President Jonathan once again expressed condolence to the United Nations’ family for the sad loss of lives and pledged assistance to enable the immediate evacuation of the dead to their countries and the wounded for medical treatment.

He commended Nigerians and foreign nationals who helped in the rescue operations and all efforts to bring relief to those affected by this condemnable act of destruction of lives and property.

Earlier, Dr. Asha-Rose Migiro, Deputy Secretary-General of the UN had said she came to observe and assess the situation after the bombing of the UN House, adding that this condemnable act would not deter them from doing their work.

She requested for assistance to enable the quick evacuation of the dead and injured, and thanked President Jonathan for offering to assist in the reconstruction of the UN House, as well as the temporary accommodation to enable the UN continue its work in Nigeria.

The UN Deputy Secretary-General said other top-level officials would remain in Nigeria to carry out a thorough assessment and examination of the whole building and advice the Secretary-General accordingly.