Ribbons in Rumaitha: Building Better Communities

Photo By 1st Lt. Jeremy Aho | A shot of the area in Rumaithia before the construction of the new pedestrian bridge and after the project's completion. The bridge will separate pedestrian and vehicle traffic to make a safer path across the river. The bridge was completed in April.  

MUTHANNA PROVINCE, IRAQ

05.26.2010

Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Jelle 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

MUTHANNA PROVINCE, Iraq -- Iraqi and U.S. Forces recently completed three construction projects in the Muthanna Province with ribbon cutting ceremonies May 27.

The three projects included six new electrical power transformers, a new pedestrian bridge, and a school with a fully-working sanitation system.

Rebuilding structures in communities that have been damaged by years of conflict is only a part of the task at hand. U.S. forces work through Provincial Reconstruction Teams to improve the stability of the Provincial Government by helping them address the needs of their communities.

U.S. forces and the Provincial Governments have constantly been building new structures and facilities that will bring a positive change to the people of Iraq, said Maj. Scott Vance, civil affairs officer, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

The new transformers will extend electrical power to over 100,000 people throughout the town of Rumaitha. This regular electrical service to businesses and schools will enhance the standards of living and education.

Working with the Ministry of Transportation, U.S. forces and the Government of Iraq constructed a new bridge strictly for pedestrians in downtown Rumaitha. The new bridge runs alongside the main bridge that was used by both pedestrians and vehicles. The dimly lit bridge posed a hazard during busy traffic and at night. With the new foot bridge in place, people can safely cross the river.

Large communities aren’t the only ones seeing help in the reconstruction effort. Smaller communities are seeing major improvements in their areas as well, said Vance.

U.S. forces facilitated the construction of a new school for the small village of Sayyed Allaq, northwest of Rumaitha. There is approximately a 37 percent literacy rate in the village, and children below the age of eight weren’t able to go to school due to the lack of adequate facilities. Children nine and older had to walk up to three miles to the nearest classroom before the completion of the new school last month, said Vance

The school includes administrative offices, storage facilities, and a sanitation system. This new educational building offers the citizens of Sayyed Allaq more adequate resources to educate their children.

“The project has not only resolved these problems for the village of Al Sayyed, but it will also improve the literacy rate in the province and improve the overall economic growth of the area,” said Vance.

• Date Taken: 05.26.2010
• Date Posted: 06.12.2010 04:47
• Story ID: 51284
• Location: MUTHANNA PROVINCE, IQ