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By Cpl. Ned Johnson
FORWARD OPERATING BASE MUSA QAL'EH, Afghanistan – Every government needs a government building, a designated space to conduct business and enforce laws. Today, the construction for that building begins here.
Elders of Musa Qal'eh and elected officials held a groundbreaking ceremony for a new government building, June 8.
"The building will be the district governor's compound and will house several government offices," said Petty Officer 3rd Class Erik Marker, a corpsman and civil affairs team member attached to 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 2.
The Helmand provincial governor, the commanding officer and sergeant major of 1st Battalion, 2nd Marines, and local officials attended the ceremony.
The ceremony consisted of a speech by Helmand's provincial governor, a prayer, and the ceremonial placing of bricks packaged in wrapping paper.
"This is important because we will have all of the government in one place," said Kulab Mangal, the Helmand provincial governor. "This will allow the government to enforce laws and establish security."
The governor also commented that a centralized government will improve its ability to stabilize the area.
A local Afghan contractor will be leading the team efforts on this project, which has been in the planning phase for nearly a year.
"We have learned that if an Afghan man sweats over something, he will protect it," Marker said.
This project is not like some projects where Marines have helped build, according to Marker.
"This is planned by the Afghan people and will be done by the Afghan people because they want law and government here," said Marker.
Though the building will be similar to many others surrounding it, its presence will represent much more.
"This is the first step in turning over the local government to the people without the influence of International Security Assistance Forces," said Marker, a 25-year-old native of Germantown, Wis.
This may be the first step for Musa Qal'eh, but it will also be a big push in the right direction for the surrounding areas.
"Musa Qal'eh is the 'city in a hill,'" Marker said. "We have seen places like Habib and Karimanda improved because of the progress made here."
The importance of this building in Musa Qal'eh is vital for more than just government.
"This area is very kinetic and dangerous," Marker said. "But this building represents the complete opposite of all of that."
"We will continue to provide the means and security for the Afghan people to build their own stability," Marker said. "In the end, they are the ones who must take ownership and responsibility."
The project may take up to two years, Marker said, but the stepping-stone is in place and there are more projects to come.
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 06.09.2010 06:38 |
| Story ID: | 51110 |
| Location: | FORWARD OPERATING BASE MUSA QAL'EH, AF |
| Web Views: | 263 |
| Downloads: | 243 |
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