Spartans bring power to the people

Courtesy Photo | A Ministry of Electricity employee works in Hawr Rajab, April 2. Prior to the coalition-funded project to repair electricity in Hawr Rajab citizens averaged less than eight hours of electricity a day; now they are up to 22 hours of electricity a day.  

ISKANDARIYAH, IRAQ

05.30.2008

Story by Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky 

2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division Public Affairs

By Sgt. Kevin Stabinsky
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KALSU, Iraq – The people of Arab Jabour had been left in the dark, due to increased violence.

But with the help of Soldiers from the 2nd Brigade Combat team, the lights are back on again.

The area south of Baghdad – comprised of Arab Jabour, Hawr Rajab, Busayefi, Maderiyah and several other smaller communities – was an al-Qaida safe haven prior to the arrival of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division. From there, insurgents plotted, trained for and conducted operations into Baghdad.

In an effort to limit violence, the Iraq ministry of electricity shut down electricity going into 90 percent of the area, said 1st Lt. Matthew Shoop, Baghdad-7 embedded Provincial Reconstruction Team electricity adviser.

In the primarily agricultural region, residents rely on pumps to transfer water from the Tigris River and irrigation canals to irrigate crops. Without electricity, these pumps could not function.

"No water means no agriculture and no economy," said Shoop, a native of Kennewick, Wash.

While the power was initially cut due to al-Qaida presence, problems still remained in the area's electric grid. Fighting, sabotage and lack of MoE involvement left many of the electric towers and wires damaged or in need of repair.

"We met with the MoE and asked them what they needed," Shoop said. "They said the biggest problem was damage to the electric grid."

The brigade then provided the ministry with the needed parts to repair the grids.

More than $3.1 million in electric parts, including transmission boxes and electrical cables, were installed, said Sgt. Rod Elrifai, ePRT electric and irrigation specialist.

Five major projects were funded in addition to repairing the electrical grid, providing employment opportunities for the economically oppressed area.

The projects had tremendous impact. When 2nd BCT Soldiers first arrived, citizens received between zero and six hours of power, with the average being two. Now, citizens enjoy anywhere from 16 to 20 hours of power daily.

The increase has, allowed stores to reopen, citizens to run air conditioners and street lights to function, enabling residents to feel more secure in their neighborhood.

While 24-hour power is still not available, it is not an issue one unit can solve, said Elrifai, a University of North Texas graduate with a degree in electrical engineering.

"Power generation is the biggest problem. Demand is much higher than supply," he said.

The power supply was restricted during the rule of Saddam Hussein. With the advent of democracy, access increased as did demand.

"The problem is they only produce half the electricity they need. They need to build more capacity to generate power," Shoop said.

The brigade is now working to empower the Iraqi government to take ownership of the electrical grid.

"We want the MoE to take responsibility," Shoop said. "(After we leave) if a transformer breaks, we want the people to tell their council and have it go up that way to the government. We encourage them to go to the government of Iraq and the government to be more responsive to their people."

Measures are underway to meet that goal. Besides empowering neighborhood, district and nahia councils to facilitate government at their level, the 2nd BCT has made several contacts within the MoE who will assume responsibility.

"The ministry has been very receptive," Elrifai said. "They sent supervisors and tech experts to meet with us. We tried to get the MoE involved in all aspects."

One capable hand who provided much of the work in the area was Raad Salih, a MoE engineer in charge of power lines maintenance. An electrical engineer, he has met with coalition forces weekly to discuss and implement plans to maintain the grid.

"It's nice to work with Raad; he wants to help," Shoop said. "He has a plan and the education and training to make it work."

The MoE is pushing more engineers out to local villages and cities to begin work now that security is established. MoE officials are currently working in Sayifiyah and Busayefi.

• Date Taken: 05.30.2008
• Date Posted: 06.03.2008 10:10
• Story ID: 20059
• Location: ISKANDARIYAH, IQ