Justice Center Opens in Paryan District

Published Aug. 8, 2010
By By U.S. Air Force 2nd Lt. Jason Smith
Provincial Reconstruction Team Panjshir

PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan -- PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (Aug. 2, 2010) - A new justice center opened in Panjshir Province's most northern district during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 2.

Panjshir Deputy Gov. Abdul Rahman Kabiri, senators, various district governors, Provincial Reconstruction Team Panjshir members and Afghan journalists were among those on hand to witness the ceremony.

After welcoming everyone, Paryan District Gov. Ghulam Sakhi said the Paryan Justice Center is a step in the right direction for the district. He said it's important for judges and other legal workers to have a place to conduct business.

"There is a series of tasks, one being infrastructure, in the rule of law process," said Nancy Sharp NtiAsare, U.S. Agency for International Development senior rule of law advisor to PRT Panjshir. "They didn't have anything before. It's difficult to work toward rule of law without infrastructure. Infrastructure is a vital first step in acceptance of rule of law. This building's value can't be overestimated."

During his speech, Kabiri thanked all in attendance and said if it wasn't for the security situation here, gatherings like this one wouldn't be possible.

"Security is the most important thing," said Kabiri, through an interpreter. "Reconstruction isn't possible without security. To win power is easy, but to maintain power and reconstruct a country is difficult.

"We got rid of the Taliban," Kabiri continued. "It only takes one Taliban to destroy all of the security and reconstruction we have worked for. Our most important job is to maintain these projects and not destroy them. This justice building is a place where people can solve problems. It's up to the people to care for this building because no international country will come here to rebuild it if we don't take care of it."

The Paryan Justice Center is a single-story building with indoor plumbing and "green" power, according to U.S. Air Force Capt. Phillip Baker, PRT Panjshir civil engineer. The project took almost two construction seasons and about $200,000 to complete.

"The construction season that far north in Paryan in limited to April through November," said Baker, a San Antonio native. "Due to heavy snow, the contractor can't work, and we can't get there on a regular basis to perform quality control and quality assessment measures. We don't want contractors to keep building while we can't check the progress regularly."

The PRT engineers call the building "green" because it is powered by the sun, according to U.S. Air Force 1st Lt. Jason Adams, PRT Panjshir civil engineer. Adams said on a project like the justice center, a solar panel is sized to meet all of the power needs of the building. In addition to an environmental benefit, there is a resource benefit to the building users.

"Paryan is remote," said Adams, a Glendale, Ariz., native. "There are high costs associated with delivering fuel to run generators. In addition, the justice center won't have to budget for fuel and risk running out."

The Paryan Justice Center is one of 71 projects opened since PRT Panjshir's inception in 2005, according to Sen. Mawllawe Mohammad Faizi, Afghanistan House of Elders member.

"This means the people and the PRT are working hard together," said Faizi, through an interpreter. "We thank (the PRT), but we need to talk about the next step. We shouldn't say 'it's enough.' We still need to focus on building a maternity clinic and veterinary clinic."

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Curtis Velasquez, PRT Panjshir commander, said this project and future projects in the province signify a strong partnership.

"We work together to help bring the best quality projects we can to areas in Panjshir where they are needed," said Velasquez, an Abilene, Kan., native. "We are honored to be guests in Panjshir, and we are thankful to be able to help through projects like the justice center and road."

Following speeches, Kabiri, Velasquez, Bill Martin, U.S. Department of State and PRT Panjshir director, and a local judge cut a ribbon signifying the new justice center was open for business. All of the guests were treated to a traditional Afghan meal before departing.