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    Tal Abtha Road project improves transportation, local economy

    Tal Abtha Road Project

    Photo By Sgt. Jared Sollars | Haji Ismael Umer Abdullah, the foreman of the Tal Abtha Road project who directly...... read more read more

    Mayor Ra'ed Abed Ali, of Al Hadr, and Engineer Hesham, from Director General Roads and Bridges, are currently working together with Green Dream Ltd. on a project that is training and employing students, while at the same time building the Tal Abtha Road. A ribbon cutting ceremony was held April 5 to mark the end of Phase I.

    The project's main goal is to assist the local economy through a better transportation and export route.

    More than 30 villages in areas between Mosul and Tal Apta will be significantly impacted by the completion of this project. Villagers from the rural areas will have an easier means of delivering products they grow or manufacture to the closest large city, Mosul.

    The approximately $13 million project is currently in phase two of three. It has gone from employing 160 previously unemployed villagers to nearly 400 with in the last few months. These villagers became students, learning the skills it takes to become trained road construction workers.

    "This road will support the infrastructure needs of the area and will help the local economy grow to an all new level," said Capt. James Covington, commander of E Company, 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment. Covington is also the technical representative for this project.

    "This project also employs students and teaches them skills to find another job once the project is completed," said Covington."The students that perform well will be considered for hire on future projects."

    The workers are being trained in one of three fields: tack welding, heavy machine operation and culvert work.

    "We would like to thank coalition forces for their efforts on achieving this project," said Fathil Mohammed Abdullah, Green Dream representative.

    "This project will be successful on many levels, not only in the completion of the road but also the training that the students are receiving," said Capt. Stephen S. Trotter, Team 14 team chief with B Company, 448th Civil Affairs Battalion.

    As long as everything goes according to plan the project will be finished in December 2009. The project is currently on schedule.

    "I want to thank the coalition forces for having this opportunity for doing this project. It is going to open a lot of doors for a lot of families. Thank you so very much," said Haji Ismael Umer Abdullah, the foreman of the project who directly supervises the workers.

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 04.05.2009
    Date Posted: 04.15.2009 14:42
    Story ID: 32429
    Location: IQ

    Web Views: 100
    Downloads: 84

    PUBLIC DOMAIN