KANDAHAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Engineers from the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team visited the Western Market project in Kandahar City for a quality control, quality assurance check June 30.
The Western Fruit Market is a three phase project that is a joint effort with different organizations. The government of Afghanistan is in charge of phase one which is funded and constructed by Kandahar City officials.
“This project is a major step in empowering the local government,” said U.S. Navy Lt j.g. Andrew Bessette, engineering department head for the Kandahar PRT from Portsmouth, R.I. “It allows them to develop and execute the urgency needed for projects for their community.”
This project was started to reinforce agricultural and economic chains and to foster the expansion of trade on the western half of Kandahar City with adjoining provinces. Phase one construction will include the construction of well, pump and storage tanks, a perimeter wall surrounding the entire complex, a minimum of two gated entrances to the site and a parking area.
“With this three phase approach, Kandahar city officials are given the opportunity to execute the good project management practices we have been mentoring through the PRT over the last several months,” said Bessette.
The idea for this project was developed at the district level last December and construction began four weeks ago. Phase two is scheduled to start in six weeks.
“Projects like this take a lot of time and effort to complete,” said U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Jerry Foster, an engineering department senior non-commissioned officer for the Kandahar PRT from Gulfport, Miss. “It’s good to see the Afghans taking charge on some of this product because that is what we are striving to do; give them the knowledge and skills to one day be able to complete a project from step one all the way to the end.”
“We provide guidance and mentorship to the Afghans throughout the build process,” said Bessette. “But this is really their show.”
There is no set date for the completion of the project. Phase three depends upon continued cooperation and support between GIRoA and International Security and Assistance Forces.
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 07.03.2011 02:00 |
| Story ID: | 73166 |
| Location: | KANDAHAR, AF |
| Web Views: | 157 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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