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MARJAH, Afghanistan - On the outskirts of northern Marjah, Izmat Bazaar is little more than a dot on a barren desert landscape, sprinkled with sand valleys and scattered farming compounds. Until recently, very few people dared to travel through the region. The Marines used to call it IED Alley.
Now that improved security conditions and upgrades to long-distance observation cameras have made routes to the bazaar safer, local government officials traveled there to speak to the local citizens and hear their concerns.
Abdul Mutalib Majbor, the district governor of Marjah, traveled to the bazaar, Jan. 24, and urged locals to work together to overcome years of oppression and become more involved with the democratic process.
Maj. Paul A. Buta, civil affairs team leader for 3rd Civil Affairs Group, 2nd Battalion 9th Marine Regiment, said nearly 2,000 locals attended a shura there weeks prior to the visit. One of the major issues locals voiced was isolation from the local government and its leaders. When the governor heard the news, he made it one of his top priorities to remedy the problem, he said.
Surrounded by open desert, the Izmat Bazaar is a focal point for commerce and agriculture in the area. Each day, locals go to buy and trade goods. Majbor made it a point to travel to the bazaar on a Monday, the busiest shopping day in Afghan culture. Because of the large crowd he said it was the perfect opportunity to speak to as many people as he could. Very few people there knew who he was and he wanted them all to know things where changing, he said.
He explained that one of the main reasons he traveled to the bazaar was to show the locals that freedom of movement has improved and that they’ll be safe when traveling to the Marjah Government District Center to resolve issues.
“A few months ago, we probably wouldn’t have been able to come out here with the district governor,” said Buta. “Now, he is standing in the middle of a crowd with several hundred people, holding impromptu shuras. Its complete freedom of movement for everybody here, and it is huge progress.”
Majbor said he heard rumors about problems at the bazaar and surrounding areas, but no one from that particular district has come to talk to him. He wants them to know that the government is on their side.
“Regardless of what you have heard, I will always be here for you and offer whatever I can to the people of Marjah,” Majbor told the
crowd. “There are so many programs that are available to you, and no one is taking advantage of them. We can help you build wells, schools, bridges, clinics and mosques. All you need to do is become involved and let us know what we can do to help. You need to realize that we work for you, not the other way around.”
During the shura, Majbor explained the functions of a representative government at the local level. He instructed the locals to select village elders to represent the community and come up with ideas to improve the region. Once they identify basic needs, they can send a group of elders to the District Center to see him and resolve any issues, he said.
“I am only one man,” said Majbor. “I cannot personally reach out to every single person in Marjah and solve all of their personal problems. That is why, if we work together, we can be more effective. Explain your issues with your elders, and the elders can collectively bring the issues to me.”
During the visit, the governor walked through the bazaar and stopped at nearly every shop to speak with the owners. Every time he stopped, a large crowd gathered around him. Majbor would reiterate his message and take notes on their concerns.
As Majbor made his way to the end of the bazaar, he turned to the crowd and bid farewell. Adults and children followed him to his vehicle, waving and thanking him for the visit.
“It is the 21st century, and the world is developing and moving forward fast,” Majbor said. “Unless we can embrace the changes that we as a people need to make, we will continue to live in the past. That is not something I intend to do.”
| Date Taken: | 01.24.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 01.28.2011 03:37 |
| Story ID: | 64359 |
| Location: | MARJAH, AF |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
This work, District Governor of Marjah bridges the gap between rural area and government, by Cpl Andrew Johnston, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
