Shura in Gizab results in pledge of future development projects, commitment to build bridge

URUZGAN, AFGHANISTAN

05.23.2011

Story by Lt. Arlo Abrahamson 

NATO Special Operations Component Command-Afghanistan

URUZGAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan - The deputy minister from the Afghan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development joined provincial leadership and coalition officials in Gizab for a development shura May 28, resulting in a pledge to construct a new bridge across the Helmand River.

Wais Ahmad Barmak, deputy minister of programs for the MRRD, told elders and Afghan government officials he would pledge more than 4 million dollars for several development and infrastructure projects in the area, including a bridge across the Helmand River.

“Our job is to help the people that are helping the government,” said Barmak. “This bridge project is for the people of Gizab, for their future, and for their children’s future.”

Uruzgan Provincial Governor Haji Omar Sherzad said the people of Uruzgan are blessed to receive infrastructure projects and credits the security situation in Gizab for the opportunity to bring development to the region.

“You, the people of Gizab have created a security situation for which these projects can occur,” said Sherzad. “We must all work together to see them through.”

A U.S. special operations team leader who attended the shura said the bridge development plan is a long awaited and much deserved project for the people of Gizab.

“The people in this district have shown they can maintain a stable security environment and cooperate on large issues affecting this area,” said the special operations team leader. “Because of this, this bridge plan and other infrastructure projects are possible for this region.”

The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development develops and implements programs promoting responsible social and financial growth in rural areas, primarily in the non-farm sector, according to MRRD officials. Employees deliver a wide range of programs funded both by the ministry itself and the international community throughout Afghanistan’s 34 provinces.

• Date Taken: 05.23.2011
• Date Posted: 06.04.2011 03:19
• Story ID: 71580
• Location: URUZGAN, AF