New ANCOP facility bolsters security in Zormat

AFGHANISTAN

03.17.2011

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Officials from the Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and the 4th Brigade, Afghan National Civil Order Police, were joined by members of the Paktya Provincial Reconstruction Team, 1st Battalion, 168th Infantry Regiment and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the newly completed ANCOP facility in Zormat District, March 17.

The $13 million project was contracted out by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan to Proccea Consulting Construction Engineering-Architecture, a Turkish company that provided 200 jobs for local Afghans.

“It has been our honor to assist the ANCOP in expanding their forces, and to assist them in increasing security in Zormat,” said U.S. Army Lt. Col. Roger Moore of Atlanta, speaking on behalf of USACE and CSTC-A, during the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The project took two years to complete and now provides room for the 4th Bde. to house and train 350 ANCOP personnel. The facility also includes a dining facility, latrines, showers, laundry facility, administrative building, well houses and guard towers.

The 4th Bde. ANCOP commander, Col. Muhammed, spoke proudly about the positive effects the facility has made for his unit and Zormat district.

“Our forces are better equipped and better trained. We are prepared to defend our battle space,” said Col. Muhammed.

Paktya Province Gov. Juma Khan Hamdard emphasized the importance of having cooperative village elders to help close the gap between the people and the government. He concluded his speech by focusing on the new ANCOP facility.

“I would like to congratulate the ANCOP commander on the new facility here in Zormat,” Hamdard said. “This is now your facility and you must take care of it, because no one will rebuild it for you.”

Gulab Shah, Zormat District subgovernor, highlighted the various development projects taking place in the district including a new school, security walls around the clinic and the nearly completed district center, which also contains a new mosque.

“I promise we are doing our best for the people of Zormat,” said Shah.

• Date Taken: 03.17.2011
• Date Posted: 03.18.2011 05:10
• Story ID: 67265
• Location: AF