NEWS RELEASE - HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND - Release Number: 03-04-209

CENTCOM Headquarters ^ | April 29, 2003 | CENTCOM

[AFPhys]

Release Number: 03-04-209
RECONSTRUCTION EFFORT UNDERWAY IN IRAQ

AL HILLAH, Iraq -- Various military units, federal agencies, non-governmental and volunteer organizations are descending upon major areas of southern Iraq in a far-reaching humanitarian and reconstruction effort.

The 1st Marine Expeditionary Force currently oversees the entire southern region of Iraq.

Three major commands are performing the grassroots civil affairs work within the force’s nine governates —1st Marine Division, Task Force Tarawa and 1st United Kingdom Armoured Division.

The 1st Marine Division is assessing the infrastructure of An Najaf and Karbala. Approximately 70 percent of An Najaf has water, 33 percent of the city has electrical power and two hospitals are now functional. The division is doing similar assessments in Karbala as well.

The 1st United Kingdom Armoured Division is evaluating areas near the major city of Basrah, which has 80 percent of its water system working. The British division is also cleaning grain silos in Al Amarah in preparation for the upcoming grain season.

Task Force Tarawa, home-based at Camp Lejeune, N.C., is now reviewing major areas including An Nasariyah and Al Kut. Electric power has been restored to 80 percent of An Nasariyah. Civil Affairs teams from the U.S. Army and Marine Corps and a head Iraqi engineer from Al Kut recently traveled to Baghdad to coordinate repairs of the Baghdad outer loop power supply, which will provide power to Al Kut and surrounding areas.

Maj. Katherine O. Womble of the 358th Civil Affairs Brigade, an Army Reserve unit from Norristown, Pa. working on the reconstruction process with I MEF, said they had to overcome some challenges in locating adequate equipment to restore overhead lines and distribution links in An Nasariyah.

“A lot of the time they had equipment, but it either needed repair or had been looted,” said Womble.

Approximately 100 police officers are now back on the streets of Al Kut and efforts continue to rearm and train the local police force. Joint-police patrols in the city of Ad Diwaniyah are continuing and plans to devise and implement a police force training program are underway.

U.S. Agency for International Development has contracted with San Francisco-based Bechtel Corp. for emergency infrastructure repair and rehabilitation in Iraq, including dredging, repair and upgrading the Umm Qasr seaport.

The contract calls also for the repair, rehabilitation or reconstruction of vital elements of Iraq’s infrastructure. This includes assessment and repair of power generation facilities and grids, and municipal water and sewer systems.
Most school systems around the country are conducting classes including those in the Wasit governate, which is awaiting attendance reports. UNICEF is planning to overhaul the national education program including the removal of Baath Party propaganda.

Numerous reconstruction and rehabilitation projects are occurring daily in order to enable the people of Iraq to support and govern themselves.
“That is our primary effort,” said Lt. General James T. Conway, commander of the 1st Marine Expeditionary Force. “Everyone involved is working together to see that it happens as rapidly as possible.”

[AFPhys]

Sounds like things are proceeding apace.

I sure would like to hear some news about the progress in Baghdad, but that was not forthcoming in this article.

[Coop]

Haven't you heard? Our troops are too busy opening fire on small children and innocent protesters - without provocation - to do any nation building.

[MEG33]

I know about 50% of Baghdad has electricity..per TV .Thanks for the great post.

[green team 1999]

good information,thanks for the posting.

[green team 1999]

US Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld (R), wearing a flack jacket and about to get in an armored Humvee, prepares to leave Saddam Hussein (news - web sites)'s Abu Gharyb Palace in Baghdad April 30, 2003 for the electric plant there. Rumsfeld paid a flying visit to Baghdad on Wednesday, 40 days after Washington went to war to overthrow Saddam Hussein REUTERS/Luke

A British soldier stands guard prior to the departure of the first train leaving Baghdad Central Station on a trial run to the southern city of Umm Qasr.(AFP/Rabih Moghrabi)