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Abu Ghraib market in process of facelift

Courtesy Photo | Contractor work on the new plumbing systems for a portion of the Abu Ghraib market,...... read more read more

ABU GHRAIB, IRAQ

01.19.2009

Courtesy Story

2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

By Capt. Benjamin Roark
2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division

ABU GHRAIB, Iraq – As the sun crests the horizon and local merchants open their doors for another business day, a line of dump trucks forms in the Abu Ghraib city market.

This caravan sits waiting to receive their cargo of mangled steel, rubble and concrete that lies nearby. The foreman issues sharp, quick commands to the drivers and as quickly as they come, they go – each time, one truckload less of rubble and debris clears the area.

In an area synonymous with scandal, the last vestige of a time past disappears and with it comes renewed hope for continued progress and lasting security.

The truckloads of rubble come from a building destroyed during the height of fighting in Abu Ghraib, west of Baghdad. A car bomb targeting innocent civilians and Iraqi security forces destroyed the building in 2007 and ever since, the heap of mangled steel and concrete has remained, a reminder of the violent past.

The owner, Muhammad, has not been able to afford the removal of the debris and reconstruction of his building, until now. As part of the Abu Ghraib market revitalization effort, a combined endeavor by the local government and Coalition Forces, Muhammad applied and was approved for a small business microgrant.

Work began the day he received his microgrant payment and the change to the face of the north market is already significant.

The area had been restricted for safety reasons due to the instability of the remaining structure but it now thrives as other market vendors take advantage of microgrants to renovate and enhance their current businesses.

"I am losing money every month because my building was destroyed," said Muhammad, "but now I have the chance for a new start, a new beginning."

He said he will rebuild and then lease the units in the structure to new business owners.

The revitalization of the Abu Ghraib market is one of many essential service and public progress efforts underway throughout the Abu Ghraib Qada, or county. It is one of the top efforts for government officials and coalition forces in the area and is combined in every sense from the planning to the funding. The market campaign directly addresses an area previously known for stalled progress and poor security with an infusion of microgrants, new projects and additional security. Cooperation between the local government and tribal and security leaders has paved the way for success in the area.

Solar lights are being installed to allow shopping past dark and increased security. Roads and sidewalks have been paved, awnings installed over storefronts, sewage and trash cleaned up. Two large market annexes are near completion south of the main road through the market.

These will house the several hundred vendors currently occupying ramshackle booths along the busy road. Once complete, the vendors will be able to move away from the highly travelled avenue to a climate controlled structure where they can better serve their patrons in a safer, more efficient and secure area. In addition to the numerous structures and improvements underway, the ISF have developed a plan for combined security of the area and have emplaced several security barriers and checkpoints to ensure the area remains safe for local residents and market goers.

Muhammad is just one of several hundred local residents that has able to take part in this opportunity and every day, many more join him.

As the old building comes down and the new one goes up in its place, it marks the removal of one of the last traces of violence in a city where the path to reconstruction has been long.

"Abu Ghraib has turned the corner," said Khamel Abas, qada council chairman, "we have always been a resilient city. Better security has paved the way for progress and happiness."