Posted on 06/15/2009 4:29:45 PM PDT by SandRat
Sgt. James Witt is greeted by Iraqi merchant Saheb Abaes at the Oasis Market located on Contingency Operating Base Adder, recently. Photo by Sgt. Mark Miranda, 1st Armored Division.
COB ADDER — Just a short bus trip from work and in a well-secured area here, U.S. Soldiers can be seen on any given day shopping and visiting the various vending booths in the Iraqi-based industrial zone (I-BIZ).
I-BIZ locations are designated as secure areas on Coalition bases where a commercial business with a land use agreement through the Coalition can establish operations. The Coalition is actively supporting this program.
"We are here to stimulate the local economy, operating mainly around Nasiriyah, by providing opportunities for locals with contracts and businesses,” said 2nd Lt. Sophia Volz, I-BIZ officer-in-charge for garrison here. “We bring them in from everywhere, but ideally the people we work with are in the Dhi Qar province."
Contractors’ Row here is where many of the Iraqi cleaners, recyclers and construction workers can be found.
"Ultimately, we want to take [U.S. contractor] jobs and [transfer them] to the Iraqis," said Sgt. James Witt, garrison I-BIZ non-commissioned officer-in-charge.
Volz said that a responsible drawdown is necessary.
"Ninety-nine percent of contracts here were KBR over the last six years,” Volz said. “We have to minimize shock with a smooth transfer of services. Currently, KBR and the Logistics Civil Augmentation Program have the latrines, maintenance, and vehicle maintenance. We'll slowly transfer those jobs to Iraqis by having a sustainable balance between KBR reduction and Iraqi buildup of sustainable business."
COB Adder is expected to remain functional as a way-station for units moving out of Iraq in accordance with the U.S. – Iraq Security Agreement.
"Adder will be around long after we're gone,” said Volz. “The plan is to eventually turn it back over to the Iraqi Army. It's one of the things we talk to Iraqis about; we want to have long term goals for Iraq."
"Lots of these local businesses are run by sons and daughters,” said Witt. “They're running a branch off of their parents' main business location. They're not losing much because as far as overhead costs, they are minimal as the vendors don't pay rent."
Iraqi businesses are given a land lot and sign a memorandum stating they are responsible for upkeep of their space. I-BIZ provides land, water and fuel for their generators.
"They bring their own trailers. They pay for fencing and other such renovations,” said Witt. “They're making money; thousands of dollars a month. They have their finger on the pulse of what Soldiers want and need; they're responsive to supply and demand."
Plans are also in the works to eventually bring a vocational/technical school to Camp Mittica adjacent to COB Adder. There are currently two in Nasiriyah.
"If you're going to bring people in to do the job, they need training on these essential skills. We want to use what [skill sets] they have and help them make it better," said Volz.
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