PCC Meeting

Photo By Sgt. Emily Slusher | Lt. Col. Marc B. Hutson, the battalion commander of 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, 101st Airborne Division, shakes hands with Abu Saddam, the chief counsel of Hawija, after a meeting concerning the Project Coordination Center.  

MULTAKA, IRAQ

05.15.2006

Courtesy Story

133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

Multaka, Iraq (May 4, 2006) - One of the key political messages heard during election time is how a candidate can bring progress to an area they serve " Iraq's politicians are no different.

On May 4th, a group of politicians from the district of Hawija, which includes the cities of Riyahd, Multaka, Abassi, Zab, Rashad, and Hawija, took a huge leap forward in bringing true progress to the people they serve by agreeing to establish a Project Coordination Center for their area.

The creation of a PCC would allow the electorate in the district to submit reconstruction projects through a local center, which would then define the scope of work needed to complete the project. The PCC would then monitor and evaluate the progress of that project.

"The concept behind the PCC for the Hawija district is to allow the sub-districts in this area better access to engineer services in order to accomplish reconstruction projects," explained Maj. Jon D. Wiebe, a civil affairs team leader with Bravo Company, 451st Civil Affairs Battalion, assigned to 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment. "The benefit to them is that the PCC will ultimately help them access reconstruction dollars through the provincial government."

Wiebe said the Hawija district currently is funneling its projects through the Kirkuk PCC, which has created some difficulties.

"One of the issues we identified, with the help of the Hawija district leaders, was the limited ability of the leadership to provide a detailed scope of work for the reconstruction projects," said Wiebe, from Walnut Creek, Calif. "The second issue we ran into was they have to travel to Kirkuk in order to submit projects; you are talking 50 to 60 kilometers. This PCC will help address those problems here."

Lt. Col. Marc B. Hutson, the battalion commander of 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, attended the meeting to reaffirm the importance of the PCC in the reconstruction efforts.

"What the PCC does, by bringing it here, it allows you to manage a budget; to take care of things you as leaders of your people see that need to be done," said the Grand Junction, Colo. native. "That way when a project goes through the PCC and money is awarded to conduct that project, it doesn't put a burden on your budget."

"For example, if you wanted to repave the road between Mutlaka and Hawija, that is a project you would put through the PCC because it would be very costly and because it crosses municipal boundaries."

The initial scope of work for the PCC, submitted by coalition forces, outlined the need for five engineers with a support staff and equipment.

During the meeting, the mayors and council members asked to add a sixth engineer into the project to include the city of Rashad. Lt. Col. Hutson and Maj. Wiebe agreed to the concession in order to represent the whole district.

"Rashad is part of the Hawija district," said Wiebe. "This was a concession that increases the size of the PCC, but this is a rather large area and more engineers will be beneficial to the project."

The Chief Council for Hawija, Abu Saddam, praised coalition forces for their efforts in the development of the PCC.

"I am optimistic that this project will give good service to the people," said Saddam.

At the conclusion of the meeting, each sub-district leader was asked to identify an engineer from their area that could meet the requirements to work for the PCC.

Wiebe said the engineers selected for the position would need to be able to provide guidance and assistance in developing detailed requirements for projects identified by the sub-districts. In addition, the engineers will need to act as a liaison between the sub-district and the contractors to help facilitate the bidding process, do ongoing project inspections, and close out inspections.

"Once the engineers are identified, we will equip them and assist them in hiring staff," added Wiebe. "They will have to go through a training phase with the PCC in Kirkuk to understand the process."

"The idea is that the PCC in the Hawija district will work on equal footing with the PCC in Kirkuk."

Coalition forces and district leaders agreed that the initial PCC will be located in Multaka because it is closer to Kirkuk and it is a suitable environment.

Once the PCC is opened it will bring jobs and opportunities for contractors in the Hawija area. This project represents another milestone in the continued effort by Iraq's leadership and coalition forces to help establish a free and economically viable country for the people of Iraq.

• Date Taken: 05.15.2006
• Date Posted: 05.15.2006 11:52
• Story ID: 6382
• Location: MULTAKA, IQ