Posted on 06/14/2010 8:33:28 AM PDT by SandRat
MUTHANNA PROVINCE -- Iraqi and U.S. Forces recently completed three construction projects here, providing residents with six new electrical power transformers, a new pedestrian bridge and a school with a working sanitation system.
U.S. State Department Provincial Reconstruction Teams help U.S. forces improve the stability of provincial governments by helping them address the needs of their communities, to include rebuilding infrastructure damaged by years of conflict.
U.S. forces, working with the provincial governments, have constantly been building new structures and facilities that will bring a positive change to the people of Iraq, said Maj. Scott Vance, civil affairs officer, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.
The new transformers will extend electrical power to reach more than 100,000 people throughout the town of Rumaitha. This regular electrical service to businesses and schools will enhance the standards of living and education.
Working with the Iraqi Ministry of Transportation, U.S. forces and the Government of Iraq constructed a new bridge strictly for pedestrians in downtown Rumaitha. The new bridge runs alongside the main bridge that was used by both pedestrians and vehicles. The dimly lit bridge posed a hazard during busy traffic and at night, but with the new foot bridge in place, people can now safely cross the river.
Large communities aren’t the only ones seeing help in the reconstruction effort. Smaller communities are seeing major improvements in their areas as well, said Vance.
U.S. forces recently facilitated the construction of a new school for the small village of Sayyed Allaq, northwest of Rumaitha. There is approximately a 37 percent literacy rate in the village, and children below the age of eight weren’t able to go to school due to the lack of adequate facilities. Children nine and older had to walk up to three miles to the nearest classroom before the completion of the new school last month, said Vance
The school includes administrative offices, storage facilities, and a sanitation system providing the citizens of Sayyed Allaq more adequate resources to educate their children.
“The project has not only resolved these problems for the village of Al Sayyed, but it will also improve the literacy rate in the province and improve the overall economic growth of the area,” said Vance.
Who is paying for all this infrastructure work now? Are they using Iraqi oil money or is it still coming out of our pockets?
From the article: U.S. State Department Provincial Reconstruction Teams'
Follow the money
Don’t know
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.