Project News

From 6th to 7th November, 2012, His Excellency Mr. Ryoichi Horie, the new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Japan to the Republic of the Sudan, visited Kassala as the first visit outside Khartoum state.

On the first day, Ambassador Mr. Horie visited Wad El Helew Locality, which is the southernmost part of Kassala State, after 7.5-hour drive from Khartoum. He began with observing the meeting of agricultural machinery groups in the JICA-constructed Multi-purpose Community Hall attached to Wad El Helew Agricultural Extension Center. Then, he visited rural water facilities in Wad El Helew town and the nearby Setit River, where the local population used to get the drinking water before the rehabilitation of rural water facilities by JICA, and observed the difference of the water quality. He also visited Wad El Helew Hospital, whose rehabilitation is now under discussion, and carefully observed the present situation of the hospital which has various challenges.

On the second day, Ambassador Mr. Horie had a meeting with Kassala State Governor and Minister for Finance. In the meeting, he emphasized that Japanese assistance is not a charity, but aims at supporting self-initiatives by Kassala State Government. The meeting was widely covered by the local TV and radio. The media reported the words of appreciation from Kassala State Governor and Minister for Finance toward Ambassador Mr. Horie's visit to Kassala, Japanese cooperation to Sudan and JICA activities in Kassala. Moreover, he visited Village Midwifery School in Kassala, and met village midwives attending in-service training supported by JICA experts. He appreciated and encouraged village midwives by saying they are playing the important roles to protect young life.

After that, he continued the vigorous visit to Medical Equipment Management Training in Saudi Hospital supported by JICA Expert, the long-term courses such as auto mechanics as well as a short-term course for women in Kassala Vocational Training Center (KVTC), the construction site of the Students Dormitory which is now under construction using the Embassy of Japan's Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Projects, the water purification plants in the east Kassala and in the west Kassala, which are now under rehabilitation in Japanese Grant Aid Program, and the proposed site for the new Khatmiya water purification plant near Kassala mountains, which is planned to be built in Japanese Grant Aid Program. In the night, Kassala State Government organized a welcome dinner for Ambassador Mr. Horie, and he enjoyed lively conversations with the State Minister for Finance and Director General (DG) of Directorate of Development and Planning (DPD), and JICA expert team.

Ambassador Mr. Horie returned to Khartoum via Gedaref on 8th November 2012. It is said that he talked to his colleague, "Although it was a physically tough visit, I really enjoyed knowing that Kassala people are seriously working for their own development." The people in Kassala remember him as a frankly speaking and friendly person to everyone, and they are wishing his next visit to Kassala in the near future.

Visiting the rural water facility in Wad El Helew town, which was rehabilitated by JICA (6th November 2012)

Ambassador Mr. Horie encouraged village midwives during the in-service training, by saying that their roles to protect children's life is very important (7th November 2012)

Ambassador Mr. Horie shaking hands with Kassala State Governor (Minister for Finance in the right) (7th November 2012)

Observing the auto mechanics course in Kassala Vocational Training Center with the explanation from Mr. Hassan Maki, Director of KVTC (7th November 2012)

（Reported by Mr. Kiyofumi Tanaka, Team Leader and Development Planning and Management）