Iraqi citizens turn on the lights

By Pvt. DeAngelo Wells, 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. Public AffairsJuly 27, 2010

Iraqi citizens turn on the lights
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An Iraqi man speaks to Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Sergeant, project purchasing officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, about the electrical problems Dhi Qar h... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Iraqi citizens turn on the lights
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – An electric pole, constructed during the Al Shababa Electric Project, delivers electricity to approximately 500 homes in the Dhi Qar province. The Provincial Reconstruction Team, along with Iraqi electric contractors, inspected poles and electric lin... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Dhi Qar Provincial Reconstruction Team conducted a follow-up inspection of electrical lines and poles in the Dhi Qar province July 15.

The PRT has supervised the Al Shababa electricity project since March by conducting periodic inspections. When finished, approximately 500 homes will have electricity.

"If all the projects go along as planned, the Iraqis can only improve what we started," said 2nd Lt. Dustin Kuhlman, a project purchasing officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division.

The PRT's mission is to work with the Government of Iraq to improve the conditions for its citizens. They have funded the building of bridges, clinics, schools and even a women's computer lab, none of which were available before. The PRT is also overseeing more than 20 projects, including four schools scheduled to open soon.

When completed, the electric project will be turned over to the provincial government and managed by the Director General of Electricity, who sells the electric meters, directs the amount of electricity given, and controls the electric grid.

Although the electric project has seen its share of challenges, the PRT has been working with the director general to complete the electrical lines and add houses to the grid, Kuhlman said.

"If we can make sure that the leaders of the projects are doing their jobs, we can leave knowing our job is finished," said Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth Sergeant, a project purchasing officer with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 4th Sqdn., 10th Cav. Regt., 3rd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.

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