East Baghdad gets wired for reliable electricity

Courtesy Photo | BAGHDAD - Iraqi workers move cable into a trench during a project in east Baghdad. More than 4,000 meters of trench were dug for the cable. (U.S. Army photo)  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

11.09.2005

Courtesy Story

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Spc. Ben Brody
2nd Brigade Combat Team PAO

BAGHDAD -- Residents of east Baghdad should be getting more reliable electricity after more than 24,000 meters of new electrical cable was laid during a project to connect the Adhamiyah main station with the Kriahat substation.

"Adding this feeder line means the Ministry of Electricity will eventually be able to provide power to more homes from the substations. It is an added capability, providing redundancy if there is a failure in the power supply or distribution along another line," said Robyn Thomas, project management specialist for Army Corps of Engineers.

The project has the potential to improve service for about 200,000 people, she said.

The project started July 19 and employed more than 180 Iraqis in either full- or part-time work on the project. An Iraqi engineer and his crew were charged with quality control of the project.

"We visited the site about three times each week. The workers are doing a good job," said Ismaeel, an electrical engineer who serves as the deputy resident engineer for east Baghdad. He was trained at a Baghdad engineering college and worked as an engineer for the Iraqi government.

He said that he and his crew 'represent the best interests of the Iraqi people at work sites to make sure the contract is being adhered to. The people can have faith that we are monitoring these projects very strictly."

In this project, where more than 4,000 meters of trench were dug for the cable, checking the standards was very important.

Ismaeel said the trench has to be dug to the correct depth and there is a need for a specific amount of fine soil under and over the cable. If the cable needs to cross a road, there is a requirement for other material such as gravel to make a base that can handle the extra weight.

In all cases, the contractor must seal the trench with concrete pavers and then put fresh soil on top of that.

"The goal is to return the ground to what it looked like before the digging took place," Ismaeel said, adding that he feels job was done very professionally.

Safety is another concern he looks at on the job sites.

"We look to keep the project running smoothly, but we also check to make sure the workers are being safe," he said. "We can stop the project if we see unsafe activity."

He said he has noticed an improvement in the safety procedures on site.

"Many fewer accidents now; with the benefit of higher quality work as well," he said.

Ismaeel said his role representing the government and the people at job sites is fairly new.

"During the Saddam regime, the workers and managers were government employees -- now we deal with private contracting companies," Ismaeel said. "The competition for projects means that a contractor must establish a reputation for high quality, efficient and safe work. The system is working well."

• Date Taken: 11.09.2005
• Date Posted: 11.09.2005 15:49
• Story ID: 3685
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ