ASHTERLEE, Afghanistan--The governor of Daykundi province and the deputy commander of the Afghan National Police headquarters with responsibility for southwestern Afghanistan opened a new district police headquarters in Ashterlee, Daykundi province on 3 November.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan Engineer District-South contracted for and oversaw the construction of the facility, which cost approximately $1.5 million.
Daykundi Governor Qurban Ali Uruzgani spoke of the steadily improving security situation in the province, and highlighted the need to resource the Afghan police adequately, to ensure their continued morale and effectiveness.
Brig. Gen. Mirwais Khan Noorzai, deputy commander of the 404 Maiwand Zone, which is the headquarters for the national police throughout southwestern Afghanistan, praised the new headquarters as a symbol of stability in the area, and said the Interior Ministry is making efforts to establish additional police facilities throughout the region.
Col. Robert Akam, commander of the Combined Team Uruzgan, which mentors Afghan National Security Forces, recognized the work of the security forces in establishing security in the province. He spoke of looking forward to a day when Afghanistan as a whole is a society where the police, not the Army, are the primary providers of security and order.
Air Force Col. Benjamin Wham, commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Afghanistan Engineer District-South, saluted the district team that had worked hard over the summer to ensure that the facility was complete before the onset of winter. The new headquarters is in a remote, high-altitude location where long winters reduce the time available for construction. Wham extended his best wishes for success and safety to the police who will serve at the new facility.
The ceremony included prayers by a local mullah, as well as readings from boys and girls of the neighboring town.
The new facility included the headquarters building, with offices, a dining facility and detention cell, as well as a perimeter wall with access control points, and basic electrical, water and wastewater infrastructure. The new headquarters cost is the 25th ANP district headquarters that the South District has completed and turned over to the Afghan security forces.
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