Now Zad governor returns to promising future

Photo By Cpl. Zachary Nola | Sayed Murad Agah, the district governor of Now Zad, speaks with teachers outside schoolhouse at the Now Zad district center in Now Zad, Afghanistan, Dec. 20.  

NOW ZAD, AFGHANISTAN

12.27.2009

Story by 1st Lt. Joseph Reney 

I Marine Expeditionary Force

NOW ZAD, Afghanistan — The Now Zad district governor, Sayed Murad Agha, greeted more than 100 local Afghans of the once-abandoned Now Zad market, who waited outside in a courtyard for his arrival here Dec. 20.

The rebuilding process has begun, and leadership is shaping again in Now Zad, but there will be challenges. The district governor, a former Pashtu language student teacher and once an assistant to the Helmand provincial governor, faces those challenges with the people.

When Agha arrived at the district center, he immediately surveyed the area, asked questions and addressed concerns of the local Afghans. He visited the medical facility where Marines and sailors of 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, provided care for local Afghans and spoke with local shopkeepers as he made his way through the recently-cleared streets of Now Zad ,to see what progress had been made.

Although locals conveyed many concerns, Agha had some of his own. Those concerns centered on the welfare of the community, mainly getting people back into their homes and back to work.

"I would like to work on rebuilding the school and getting people back to work, so people can return to their lives," said Agha, through an interpreter. "I'd like to get the teachers back."

When walking the streets of Now Zad, once the second-largest city in Helmand province, it was obvious that the city used to be well organized, not to mention, beautiful. However, after several years of insurgent activity, this part of Now Zad became uninhabitable for Afghan families. Afghan families that once prospered here could no longer, because the enemies of Afghanistan would not allow peace in the area.

Marine and Afghan national security forces have cleared the area of the Now Zad market and district center to allow the people to return and begin rebuilding.

The future of the market, the district center and ultimately the whole of Now Zad is already experiencing rapid progress.

"The Marines have done a lot to get the people back to work," said Agha, through an interpreter. "The people here really want to get back to work and are tired of the enemy activity."

To assist in the rebuilding process, Marines and ANSF are providing security and civil affairs support.

Marines see great benefit for the community in having the district governor present for the rebuilding process.

"The people here haven't had any form of government for four years," said Capt. Jason Brezler, civil affairs officer, 3/4, from Bronx, N.Y. "To have a committed and educated man, like (the district governor), here to rebuild is a good thing."

With the return of governance and continued counterinsurgency operations, including 150 children back in school and shops opening in the market daily, the people will once again be able to live and prosper in Now Zad.

• Date Taken: 12.27.2009
• Date Posted: 12.27.2009 14:50
• Story ID: 43184
• Location: NOW ZAD, AF