Maysan Province receives new vocational training center

Photo By Maj. Alan Brown | The Maysan Governor, Muhammed Al Shia’a Al Sudani addresses an audience of over 120 during the opening of the Maysan Center for Training and Development, Nov. 28. The center, a give to the people of Maysan from the U.S. Government, will offer Maysanis classes in computer skills, English, agriculture, veterinary skills, carpentry, and journalism.  

MAYSAN PROVINCE, IRAQ

11.28.2010

Story by Maj. Alan Brown 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

MAYSAN PROVINCE, Iraq – The Maysan Provincial Reconstruction Team and U.S. forces in southern Iraq continued their commitment to improving the lives of the people of Maysan with the official opening of the Maysan Center for Development and Training during a ribbon cutting ceremony Nov. 28.

The new compound, adjacent to Camp Garry Owen outside of Amarah, the largest city in the province, will host a broad spectrum of educational and training opportunities to assist the provincial government in building infrastructure, essential services and economic development

Addressing a standing-room-only audience of over 120, Anne Callaghan, Team Leader, Maysan PRT, said that the completion of the training center exemplifies a synchronized collaboration between the U.S. Government and the Provincial Government of Maysan.

“Our work underscores their commitment to training and educational development for the people of Maysan,” said Callaghan.

The construction of the $500,000 training center employed local contractors who completed the project in six months. The two adjoining buildings house a conference center, an executive conference room, three classrooms with desks and three fully functional computer rooms. The compound is also outfitted with its own power source, water and sewage system.

The Maysan Governor, Muhammed Al Shia’a Al Sudani, enthusiastically cut the ceremonial ribbon, officially opening the center that is poised to benefit his citizens for years to come.

During his remarks, he credited the PRT and the U.S. Government for their commitment to improving the lives of Iraqis in many ways.

“This project is clear evidence of the provincial reconstruction team’s sincere goals, plans, programs and funding for the Maysan government,” he said.

Representing the U.S. Embassy and the U.S. Ambassador to Iraq, the Assistant Chief of Mission for Assistance Transition, Ambassador Peter Bodde said the center was designed from the Maysan government’s vision for “a prosperous Maysan that offers economic and educational opportunities for its youth, attracts foreign investment and provides for the welfare of its residents.”

Bodde said the opening of the Maysan Center for Training and Development is congruent with the U.S. shift in Iraq from reconstruction to development, as the military presence gives way to greater civilian influence.

While the recent ceremony marked the official opening, the center is already up and running, having recently hosted training for Iraqi forces, agricultural classes, micro-grant fairs and several meetings between members of the provincial government.

The calendar of events is quickly filling up with planned training in word processing, water purification, carpentry, auto mechanics, English language skills, green house construction, medical and veterinary skills and journalism.

“I look forward to welcoming all the people of Maysan, teachers and students both, to this facility which symbolizes our enduring commitment to a strong relationship between the United States and Iraq,” said Callaghan.

• Date Taken: 11.28.2010
• Date Posted: 12.07.2010 07:08
• Story ID: 61496
• Location: MAYSAN PROVINCE, IQ