Photo By Sgt. Daniel Angel | Master Sgt. Sal Castilleja, I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group civil...... read more read more
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By Cpl. Daniel Angel
I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward)
FALLUJAH, Iraq – The I Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group is winding down civil affairs operations near Camp Fallujah as they prepare to move to Al Asad Air Base this fall.
With less Marine involvement the Iraqis are relying more heavily on their own government, at both the local and provincial level, to ensure reconstruction and development continue.
Since taking over from II MEF in February, the I MHG Civil Affairs Group has spent $7.8 million on 55 infrastructure reconstruction projects in Fallujah and its surrounding rural areas.
The overall purpose for the civil affairs projects was to demonstrate to local Iraqis that coalition forces are here to help make life better and show them how to use their new government institutions, said Master Sgt. Castilleja, I MHG civil affairs officer.
Many of the reconstruction efforts were infrastructure improvements to the canal systems vital to agriculture in rural areas surrounding Fallujah and in turn, to the local economy, said Castilleja.
"For a long time, Saddam didn't pay attention to smaller areas," he said. "It served him no good to spend money on rural areas, so these farming communities had no basic services for over 30 years under his rule."
The CAG used commander's emergency response program funds for projects including cleaning up the canal systems and to improve the quality of water used for irrigation. CERP funds are intended to provide commanders with funding for urgent humanitarian aid and reconstruction projects.
Because of reconstruction projects, farmers have been able to grow more food and begin hiring workers to help bring in the harvest, said Castilleja.
"I'd say about 70 percent of the food grown in the rural areas is sold in the city of Fallujah," he said. "It's an important part of the economy here."
In addition to agricultural infrastructure improvements, the CAG also funded contracts for four schools and a water treatment facility built by local Iraqis. Two of the schools were built from the ground up and the other two buildings were renovations of existing structures.
When funding reconstruction projects, the CAG ensures the projects have funding through the local government for upkeep, maintenance and staffing, said Castilleja. The projects have set standards of work and the contracts are awarded to local contractors that can best meet those standards.
The last three projects completed by the I MHG CAG here are schools in the al-Fayil and al-Shidi neighborhoods near Fallujah and a water treatment facility. Castilleja went to all three on Oct. 13, 2008, to perform site inspections and speak with locals about the progress of the projects.
During all three visits, the Marines spent time talking to the Iraqi project managers as well as local sheiks and citizens. This gave them a chance to hear the Iraqis' concerns while ensuring the projects stay on schedule and are built to the meet or exceed the original requirements.
Construction on a new school in the Al-Fayil neighborhood just outside the perimeter wall around Camp Fallujah began in March, and the school is nearly ready for students to move in and begin classes, said Castilleja. The local tribal sheik, Ahmad Turki Faris, likes to be involved and understands quality workmanship. He has taken the time to ensure the school was built to last.
"It's a tremendous project built beyond expectations," he said.
The walls are built out of brick instead of concrete blocks, and the sheik had the roof hot-tarred and covered with cement tiles to ensure the construction will last, said Castilleja.
Castilleja also went to al-Shidi neighborhood near Fallujah to inspect the renovation of a school built in the 1950s. Improvements included reconstruction of the perimeter wall and gate to help with security, new chalkboards and new buildings with more classrooms. This school was also nearing its completion and students should begin classes soon.
The last project Castilleja inspected was at a new water treatment facility. The project was nearly complete, though the locals had concerns about how to get fuel to run the facility. Castilleja spoke with locals about their concerns and is working with local leaders to help them find a solution through their local government in Fallujah.
"Now they have to deal with their new democratic government to get services," said Castilleja.
In addition to the direct benefits from agricultural improvements, new schools and a water treatment facility, the infrastructure projects have helped teach local sheiks and community leaders how to use the democratic system to fund services in their communities, he said.
"These projects have helped them learn how to get funding from their own government for projects in the future, how to justify the money spent, how to award contracts to local companies and how to ensure the projects get funded for maintenance and staffing to ensure they are running well into the future," said Castilleja.
| Date Taken: | 10.23.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 10.23.2008 14:26 |
| Story ID: | 25455 |
| Location: | FALLUJAH, IQ |
| Web Views: | 309 |
| Downloads: | 195 |
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