Rusafa leaders give people power

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Meadows | A news cameraman from al Iraqiyah television videos two of three new micro-power...... read more read more

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Meadows | A news cameraman from al Iraqiyah television videos two of three new micro-power generators that are about to be turned on to provide electricity for area residents in Muhalla 125 of the Rusafa district in eastern Baghdad, July 24.  see less | View Image Page

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

07.25.2008

Story by Staff Sgt. Matthew Meadows 

4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division Public Affairs

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By Staff Sgt. Matt Meadows
4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE LOYALTY, Iraq — Rusafa district area leaders gave power to the people when they conducted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to turn on micro-power generators in Muhalla 125 of eastern Baghdad, July 24.

Iraqi Brig. Gen. Latif Mohammed, Rusafa district police commander and Abass Hassan Hamud, neighborhood council chairman for Muhalla 125, were two of the dignitaries present to help usher in a new age of readily available electricity for area residents.

"After we defeated all the terrorists [and] thugs around us, now we are progressing," Mohammed told everyone assembled. "Now we are accomplishing something. We are looking for something else. Thugs; they are behind us, and we have to do something in favor of our neighborhoods."

Mohammed said the micro-generators are proof of what he claimed about defeating criminals and improving life in the area, and construction projects are on the agenda in Rusafa too, he commented. Iraqi officials selected Muhalla 125 to receive the two generators, along with a third generator at another location, to serve the people in the neighborhood.

"This is a good start," said Mohammed. "We are doing further things for the people of this muhalla. And, in my name, we would like to thank all who contributed in this event ... and these generators – to bring this to life."

Hamud also thanked everyone responsible for helping bring electricity to Muhalla 125, including coalition Soldiers. He was extremely excited to have a hand in bringing electricity to area residents.

"This is a very special moment for us here," declared Hamud. "These generators will help ... 1,000 families."

"This is the time to give them power, because it is hot. You see, it is boiling, and I think it is the ... right time to have this here," commented Hamud. "They used to have small generators, and the gas was so expensive."

Hamud explained that Muhalla 125 residents used to rely only on the "main grid" for power, which sometimes would only provide power for two or three hours. The generators will allow for electricity on a more continuous basis, he said.

Maj. John Schulz, a civil affairs officer with Company B, 418th Civil Affairs Detachment, said the project to bring micro-generators to Muhalla 125 residents began in May. Civil affairs representatives from 418th CA asked Rusafa officials who most needed electricity, and they selected Muhalla 125, explained Schulz, who works with 3rd Squadron, 89th Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light), Multi-National Division – Baghdad.

Schulz said this project and the arrangement for it are critical to the rest of the brigade, because this is the first of many such projects. In other words, this project could serve as a model for everyone else in the Patriot Brigade who works with similar interests to follow.

There are 300 residences already hooked up to the generators, said Schultz. Other area residents may be added, but in the meantime businesses in Muhalla 125 may be hooked up to the generators too. In the future if residents wish to connect to the generators, they will have higher priority than businesses, explained Schulz.

The last project to bring electricity to Muhalla 125 in a major way occurred in 1963, said Schultz. Since then, the muhalla - which is one of the oldest in Baghdad - has been ignored for the most part, primarily because of its old buildings and narrow streets. These characteristics make it difficult to access the area with equipment necessary to do the job, he explained.

Hamud said it is hard for anyone to imagine how happy he is to help provide a more comfortable living for the people in Muhalla 125. The next improvement Hamud will push for in the area is a long-term sewage solution.

"It's a very big impact on people to have electricity," said Hamud. "I would like to thank the coalition, the American side. It's a great thing giving use this ... service."