Zharay district officials convene at water shura to identify water construction projects

ZHARI DISTRICT, AFGHANISTAN

09.22.2011

Story by Spc. Melissa Stewart 

3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division

ZHARAY DISTRICT, KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- Zharay district officials, area landowners, and Afghan engineers rallied at the Zharay District Center, Sept. 22, to discuss the usage and supply of water in the area; the second such water shura at the Zharay District Center.

A “shura” is like a town council meeting, and consists of the Zharay district governor, village elders and local mullahs, and it is their job to meet with Afghan provincial and national leaders, as well as leaders from Combined Task Force Spartan, to discuss what local villages need regarding security, development, and in this case, water.

“The purpose for this one was to lay the ground work for the water use association and to identify a potential water construction project to be completed no later than 15 December,” said Capt. Alissa Morrison, assistant civil affairs officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3rd IBCT.

By having regular shuras, everyone can stay informed on the problems and improvements being made in the area, as well as making a decisive plan that is beneficial to the area’s people.

“We are working to move forward on the development of water infrastructure in the Zharay district,” said Benjamin Bright, a social scientist with the CTF Spartan Human Terrain Team.

There are several water-related projects that the Afghans leaders are working on currently.

“We are looking at division boxes, retaining walls, and we’re also looking to de-silt the canals of the silt that has built up over the last ten years,” said Bright.

While they are receiving assistance from coalition forces with funding and project assistance, Afghans are taking the lead on all local water projects.

“We are trying to bring together an association of water managers who will be able to identify problems and coordinate the distribution of water across the district,” said Bright.

• Date Taken: 09.22.2011
• Date Posted: 09.24.2011 15:21
• Story ID: 77539
• Location: ZHARI DISTRICT, AF