Photo By 1st Sgt. Brent Williams | A team of engineers conducts a site survey April 25 for the new Jihad Civil Services...... read more read more
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Staff Sgt. Brent Williams
1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry DIvision Public Affairs Office
FORWARD OPERATING BASE FALCON, Iraq – In efforts to improve stability for the people of Iraq, leaders from across Multi-National Division – Baghdad and the Rashid district of southern Baghdad are looking to Iraqi citizens to create permanent solutions to the problems that have plagued the nation's capital before and after the war.
Rashid district community leaders held a special gathering, alongside the leadership of the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, MND-B and local Iraqi security forces, April 26 to demonstrate a joint commitment to improving the quality of life for Iraqi citizens during the commemoration of a new building for the Rashid District Council Hall.
"This building provides the leaders and citizens of Rashid a place to voice their concerns to their elected officials, to plan, and with wisdom, map out the way of progress for all Iraqis here in Rashid," said Col. Ted Martin, commander, 1st BCT.
The Rashid District Council is a self-governance program, where community leaders are working with the estimated 1.2 million people of the Rashid district to help restore order to local neighborhoods and communities in Baghdad.
"It promises to serve as a meeting place where great people share ideas for improving security, fostering cooperation and responding to the voice of those who need help," said Martin, a native of Jacksonville Beach, Fla.
The DC Hall was first opened by coalition forces and the Coalition Provisional Authority in the fall of 2003. Since then, the building has hosted meetings and events for local leaders and council members for more than 20 neighborhood founcils operating in Rashid.
"When terrorism attempted to halt creativity and progress, our efforts were pulled together to repel all forms of terrorism for the purpose of moving forward and rebuilding," said Ya'aqob Yosif, head chairman of the Rashid DC.
The meetings are an opportunity for community leaders to develop real solutions for problems within the neighborhoods, he said during the commemoration.
"Today we are here to open the (DC) building and we are hopeful that it becomes the first of many projects in our beloved Iraq in general and in Al-Rashid district in particular," Yosif explained.
The local council leaders are responsible for working with the Iraqi neighborhood advisory councils and leaders in the various muhallahs to address concerns about public health, education, electricity, water and sewage programs, and Iraqi security forces operating in southern Baghdad.
"As we stand here today, we would like to thank the efforts of the friendly forces and their cooperation with us in this project and helping our wounded country – Iraq," Yosif said.
The 1st "Raider" BCT continues to work with Iraqi security forces to provide improved security in Rashid, said Lt. Col. Paul Hossenlopp, deputy commanding officer, 1st BCT.
With improved security, the 1st BCT will work with local leaders and the Government of Iraq with essential services and projects to improve Iraqis' quality of life, he said.
One example of the brigade's ongoing efforts to stabilize everyday life for the people of Rashid, MND-B and 1st BCT leaders met April 25 for the unearthing of a new construction project to build a headquarters for the Civil Services Department in the Jihad community of Rashid, said Hossenlopp.
"The CSD Building will be the first community services building in the Rashid district of southern Baghdad," explained Hossenlopp, a native of Cincinnati.
The CSD project once complete will eventually operate with the support of the Government of Iraq and provide permanent jobs for local communities by creating and sustaining an Iraqi workforce employed to rebuild Baghdad's infrastructure and eventually restore essential services to the citizens of Rashid, said Hossenlopp.
The construction project currently employs an estimated 400 Iraqis, providing vocational tutoring combined with on-the-job training for the unskilled laborers, who will help local contractors create the new civic center in southern Baghdad, said Maj. Timothy Reed, civil affairs officer, 1st BCT, 4th Inf. Div., MND-B.
"Stability plays a big part in the work that we are accomplishing," Reed said, about the $1.6 million project to create a civic center for essential services and public works in southern Baghdad.
The intent is that once the Iraqis are trained, the crew of construction workers and civil engineers will eventually lead their district in reconstruction efforts in Baghdad, said Reed, a native of Las Cruces, N.M.
"It is a great concept for the people to create a headquarters for a new civic services department to better service the needs of the people of Rashid and Baghdad," he added.
Based on the program's success, other CSD Buildings will be planned for the Rashid district and Baghdad, he added.
| Date Taken: | 04.28.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 04.30.2008 11:29 |
| Story ID: | 18944 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 186 |
| Downloads: | 172 |
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