Posted on 12/07/2006 9:24:21 PM PST by SandRat
BAGHDAD — Iraq’s capital is facing challenging times, and for the situation to get better most officials believe residents need to see that their government is working and improvements are taking place.
Maj. Robert Nash, officer in charge, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers International Zone office, said his staff is overseeing about 150 projects worth $500 million to upgrade essential services in Baghdad.
“We’re rebuilding gas stations, paving roads, repairing sewer lift stations, installing new potable water networks, and paving roads,” Nash said. “We’re also renovating hospitals, building healthcare centers, installing neighborhood electric distribution networks, and rehabilitating water treatment plants.”
A new initiative, Operation Together Forward, emphasizes clearing out insurgent elements in key areas, then funding a variety of community projects so residents can see that things are getting better.
“We’re just getting started on those new projects,” Nash said. “When fully under way, there will be thousands of Iraqis employed and their work will have a lasting, positive impact. As an example, 18 gas stations are being renovated throughout Baghdad and a variety of water and sewer issues are being e resolved.”
Nash’s office works with military units attached to the 1st Calvary Division, including the 9th Engineer Battalion commanded by Lt. Col. Glen Masset, who keeps track of all ongoing community improvements in the northwest quadrant of Baghdad.
Baghdad City Government (Amanat), United States Agency for International Development, the Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction Team, the Corps of Engineers, and Masset’s brigade are all sponsoring projects to help the Iraqi people .
“Our top priority is helping the Iraqi government get on its feet as local and city officials work to improve various essential services for their residents,” Masset said.
He added that residents responded positively when Soldiers started a trash clean-up program in west Baghdad
“We’re also putting in street lighting, getting an abandoned slaughterhouse for cattle and sheep renovated, cleaning out a major drainage canal, and providing portable generators to area schools, including 500-liter fuel tanks and 500 liters of fuel,” Masset said.
Apart from work helping individual areas, big-ticket projects are also part of the effort, including more than $100 million for a new electrical distribution network and more than $20 million for new water lines for Sadr City’s estimated 2.5 million residents. Also, $300 million has been pledged for three major sewer trunk lines helping the entire metropolitan area.
Abdul-Kareem, one of the Iraqis working in Nash’s office, said his neighborhood is noticing a difference.
“They’re repairing six non-functioning sewer lift stations that haven’t had maintenance in 15 years, as well as cleaning out blocked collection lines. That work is getting sewage off the street preventing disease that’s threatening our children. These are important indicators we’re moving in the right direction,” he said.
Wonder why they never mention it?
Easy answer.... it's against their biased agenda.
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