Courtesy Photo | 1st Lt. Jacob Baker, a rifle platoon leader, speaks with an Iraqi man about the recent...... read more read more
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By 1st Lt. Christopher Taylor
2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division
BAGHDAD - The government of Iraq has begun sponsoring multiple projects in the northwestern Baghdad neighborhood of Shulla to improve essential services and quality of life.
One of the most prominent projects is a sewage line repair project and market revitalization taking place within Shulla.
They are currently excavating a trench on a road to make a series of repairs on the sewage pipe. They are also giving the market along the road a "facelift."
1st Lt. Jacob Baker, a rifle platoon leader with Company B, 1st Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Multi-National Division – Baghdad, talked with multiple citizens of Shulla to get their opinion in regards to the ongoing projects within the area.
Akl Fadil Muhammad, who works in a mechanic shop along the raod, said he is glad to see the government of Iraq taking an active role in the beautification and improvement of essential services in Shulla.
The sewage and market project will not only make Shulla more appealing to live in and to visit, but it will also improve the essential services as well.
The government of Iraq worked with the Beladiyah to ensure all the people affected by this construction were aware of the situation prior to initiating the project. The citizens of Shulla were told by the Beladiyah that the construction would be unsightly and slow moving in the early stages, however, it would bring great dividends upon completion.
Further investigation of the projects proved that many people felt the same as Muhammad.
Hamil Hadi and Fallah Abd' Fahal, for example, are happy to see a self-sufficient government providing services for the people. Hadi knows it is a step in the right direction.
Fahal agrees that the construction is testing everyone's patience, but he is optimistic that the outcome is worth the initial frustration.
The new market will definitely give an economic boost to the population, according to Basim Muhammad 'Idan, a local vendor in Shulla. Basim shares the same view as other local nationals that it is a relief to finally see progress stemming from the government of Iraq that will create immediate returns for all of Shulla's residents. Basim made the platoon leader, Baker, aware of his main concern. Basim rents a stand in the market adjacent to the market along the road. He is afraid that the new market will cause people to shy away from the older, outdated markets and cause him to lose business.
"Why don't you get a stand in the new market?" Baker asked.
"All the stands in the new market have already been reserved," Basim replied.
Basim may lose business initially, but as a whole he, along with many other business owners in Shulla, will see a thriving market bringing more revenue into Shulla and an improved economy for future generations.
| Date Taken: | 09.09.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 09.09.2008 10:53 |
| Story ID: | 23407 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 299 |
| Downloads: | 265 |
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