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KAPISA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Members of Kapisa Provincial Reconstruction Team met with Kapisa’s newly-appointed acting Provincial Gov. Aziz Ul Rahaman Tawab for the first time during a Provincial Development Committee assembly, April 5.
Although Tawab has only served one week as the acting governor, he has already shown a strong level of interest and commitment to Kapisa’s future, according to the PRT.
“It’s very unusual for an individual in his position to ask the provincial ministers and officials to be more accountable for their actions and to essentially raise their game (in terms of job performance),” said Jim Morris, Kapisa PRT Department of State representative and a native of Chappaqua, N.Y. “This is definitely a very positive sign for what is to come.”
Morris said it was important for the PRT to establish an open dialogue with “The governor is really the key figure for any of our big efforts here whether it’s reintegration, transition, development, governance or rule of law,” Morris said. “We look to the governor to take the lead and to motivate his people in the provincial government. He is really the one person who can bring change to the province.”
As the acting governor of Kapisa, Tawab coordinates and manages all security, development and administration needs of Kapisa until a permanent governor is appointed at which time he will assume the role of Kapisa deputy governor.
Until then Tawab said he plans to strengthen Kapisa by taking everyone’s voice into account.
“My basic policy as governor is not to make individual decisions, but instead make collective decisions by consulting with my provincial staff and colleagues,” said Tawab, through an interpreter.
To assist in his duties as governor, the Kapisa PDC, an Afghan-led group that promotes dialogue on development activities between provincial government offices, non-governmental organizations, international donors, the PRT and Task Force La Fayette, helped identify the needs of the province.
“Through the PDC, we are able to maintain coordination amongst the different sectors of government,” said Hajji Mohamad Safi, a member of the Kapisa PDC and Kapisa Provincial Shura, through an interpreter. “As representation for the people, we come together and share information that enables us to discuss and identify the needs of the people so that we may convey that information in a clear picture to the governor.”
With counsel from the PDC, Tawab can determine what his province needs and make strong coherent decisions on behalf of his people.
“As the Kapisa PRT, we are fully committed to assisting acting Gov. Tawab in his efforts to further strengthen and improve governance, development, and security in Kapisa,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Sierco, Kapisa PRT commander from Bowie, Md.
“Throughout the past year, we’ve accomplished a lot by working closely with our Afghan counterparts, and we will not only continue that strong working relationship but also increase our interaction with Gov. Tawab and his staff. Our main effort remains to increase the legitimacy, capacity and capability of provincial, district and local government organizations,” said Sierco.
Since October 2010, Kapisa government officials and the Kapisa PRT worked together to provide two courthouses in the Tagab and Nijrab District Centers, three schools to accommodate the education of more than 2,000 children, 120 km of road expansion, reconstruction of a bridge on Main Supply Route Vermont, and more than 40 small-scale quality of life projects for the people of Kapisa.
| Date Taken: | 04.08.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 04.07.2011 15:31 |
| Story ID: | 68420 |
| Location: | KAPISA PROVINCE, AF |
| Web Views: | 151 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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