The new ministry of health built by the Chinese government in Oldest Congo town is named “Joseph Nagbe Togba, Sr. M.D. Office Complex, in memory of Liberia’s first medical doctor who also served as the first general administrator of the JFK Medical Center.

During the dedicatory ceremony of the new Ministry of Health and Social Welfare Thursday, the Chinese Ambassador to Liberia, Zhao Jianhua disclosed that Beijing will grant Liberia US$50m to build a modern ministerial complex within three years beginning mid 2012.

He said China’s assistance and support to Liberia will continue to be guided by “mutual respect and mutual benefit”.

“Madam President, the Chinese government will provide a grant of US$50m for the construction of a modern ministerial complex to improve the working conditions of Liberian civil servants. You, Madam President and the people of the Republic of Liberia have won the friendship and respect of the Chinese people,” he said as the Liberian leader looked on.

He assured the President that Chinese companies will continue to participate in the restoration and construction of hydro power plants, roads, seaports and other infrastructural facilities in Liberia.

In order to respond positively to the priorities of President Sirleaf for the next six years, Ambassador Zhao indicated that China will encourage Chinese companies to build the Kpatawee Water Fall near Gbarnga into a modern farm and tourist attraction.

He added that China would also encourage its companies to construct a solar power plant and special industrial zone in Monrovia where they will undertake a project to install solar lights in every Liberian village.

“No strings will be attached…as a friend and a partner, China is going to respond positively to the priorities you have set for the next six years. We will continue to provide government assistance to back up your efforts in infrastructure, agriculture, electricity, education and public health. We will do as much as we can in the areas of trade, investment and human resources development,” Ambassador Zhao emphasized to President Sirleaf.

He said handing over the ministry of health office complex marked “a new beginning of China-Liberia relations and a springboard to improve lives of the Liberian people and to Lift Liberia.”

Meanwhile, President Sirleaf praised the government and people of China for their continuous efforts to help improve the lives of Liberians.

She said completion of the US$5.4m ministry of health office complex would significantly cut government’s rental cost.

“We hope this complex will inspire health workers to deliver health care for our people. We expect this building to remain clean and beautiful all the time. Remember, China leaves big footprints behind whenever they undertake a project,” the President stressed.

The government christened the office complex in honour of Liberia’s first medical doctor, the late Joseph Nagbe Togba, Sr., former Secretary of Health and the only black man who served as one of the signatories to the Charter creating the World Health Organization in 1948, two years after the United Nations was formed in 1946.