LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – The Czech Republic Provincial Reconstruction Team based at Forward Operating Base Shank conducted a press conference for Afghan media in Pul-e Alam of Logar Province Jan. 30.
Nearly 30 Afghan journalists went to Pul-e Alam’s town hall to attend the PRT’s press conference, which Czech organizers conducted to remind local Afghans of the many improvement projects the PRT completed and initiated in 2010 and early 2011.
“It is important to us that Afghan people know about Czech engagement here in the province. This is why we have organized a press conference where we recapitulated our efforts and achievements of last year,” said Matyas Zrno, the civilian head of Czech PRT, as he spoke to the media during the conference. “All our projects are implemented in close coordination with local government.”
The Czech PRT completed more than 60 projects in 2010 and started another 12 that will be finished in upcoming months. Those projects will benefit tens of thousands of Logar residents, said Kristyna Greplova, media officer for the Czech PRT in Logar. The budget for these reconstruction and development projects amount to almost $4 million, she said.
“More than 45 percent of our budget was spent on agriculture and water management, which is our priority,” said Jarmila Jelínková, project manager for the Czech PRT, during the conference. “Twenty percent was spent on education and another 20 percent on security projects; but our work isn’t about how much money we spent, it is about the results. We are happy to say our projects really make difference here in Logar.”
Two new milk collection centers, a provincial diagnostic veterinarian laboratory, kareez, a system used to channel water, reconstructions, school constructions, police recruit training and a study tour for Logar provincial representatives are among the most important projects the Czech PRT funded and finished last year, said Greplova.
Malak Abdullah Jan Milk Collection Center is one example of the much-needed projects the PRT completed. This project not only made life easier for those involved, but also it made milk production more profitable.
“People used to bring milk to a mud-house before we constructed this new building,” Lenka Huberova, Czech agriculture engineer, told the media and assembled officials. “Now they can store the milk there, and they get more money when they sell it to Kabul.”
Another large Czech PRT project is the construction of an agriculture and mechanical high school in Pul-e Alam at the center of Logar Province. The PRT began the project in 2010, and the first phase of the construction should be finished this autumn, said Greplova.
Afghan government officials greatly appreciate the Czech PRT’s contributions to their communities.
“We are very thankful to the Czech Republic,” said Shujahudin Shujah, the deputy provincial governor of Logar Province, during the conference. “Logar PRT has helped our people a lot.”
The Czech PRT has worked in Logar Province since March 2008. The civilian part of the PRT is responsible for implementing development projects and consists of 11 subject matter experts from the Czech Foreign Ministry. The military component consists of 261 Czech soldiers. The PRT in Logar supports agriculture, security, maintenance of water resources, health and infrastructure. Also, the PRT promotes education and independent media. The Czech PRT has completed 149 projects in Logar Province so far.
| Date Taken: |
01.30.2011 |
| Date Posted: |
02.05.2011 17:17 |
| Story ID: |
64884 |
| Location: |
LOGAR PROVINCE, AF |
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