Progress continues in Parwan, Afghanistan

Published Sept. 8, 2007
By Senior Airman Dilia DeGrego
Combined Joint Task Force-82 Public Affairs

BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- War-torn for more than 30 years, the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan continues to take the necessary steps to strengthen and rebuild its government.

Working hand-in-hand with groups such as the United States Agency for International Development and Coalition forces-led provincial reconstruction teams, IRoA government officials are bringing government, education and economic progress to the people of Afghanistan.

In one such instance, Parwan Province government officials met with members of the Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team during a provincial development meeting in Salang District Sept. 5. During their meeting, they coordinated development initiatives and gave the PRT an avenue to provide mentoring to the governor and his staff.

Parwan Province Governor Abdul Jabbar Taqwa; Parwan Province Deputy Gov. Abdul Basir Salangi and Bagram PRT leadership discussed current project status, to include recently awarded projects requiring ground-breaking ceremonies, problems encountered on the projects, projects nearing completion and scheduling ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Additionally, leaders discussed future projects and their importance to the province, and various coordination issues such as provincial staff changes and changes in contact information.

"We are trying to introduce the government to the people as a people's government," said Taqwa. "We are working to keep the connection between the people and the government as tight as possible. I tell the people, 'I am your governor and this is your government. You can come to me at anytime.'"

The people have taken the governor at his word offer, requesting schools and other projects. Although slow-coming, Parwan and PRT leadership are encouraged by the progress which is and has taken place at the request of the people of Parwan.

"There has been slow progress in the development realm," said Air Force Capt. Harry Jackson, Bagram PRT civil affairs officer. "[However,] I see new construction in many places, mostly shops and small trade shops. The biggest change, infrastructure-wise, is the high voltage line crossing Parwan north to south.

"Additionally, a lot of roads are currently being improved," he said. "The PRT is currently working 10 road projects in Parwan and one in Kapisa. This will improve transportation to the markets and will drastically reduce wear and tear on the Afghan's vehicles."
Children are also benefactors of the progress taking place.

"Educationally, many more students are attending school," the captain continued. "Many of the non-governmental organizations as well USAID and the PRT are building schools for both girls and boys."

In its six months here, the PRT has assisted in the completion of two schools and four others are under construction.

"The people are very happy," said Taqwa. "The development and reconstruction have been very good in 2007. We are building more roads and they are helping people transport their goods. We've fixed a lot of the irrigation systems and that has helped the people a lot as well, agriculture has been very good this year."

As IRoA and its partners, such as the Bagram PRT, continue to help Afghanistan in its development there are various areas, which still require attention, specifically education.
"The education quality is getting better with every year that comes," said Taqwa. "However, we don't have enough teachers and it is difficult to work with so few teachers. Educating our people is very important to Afghanistan's future.

"We need to focus on making higher education better for our students so that they can graduate and can become teachers," he continued. "With the presence of the [Coalition forces] we have the best chance to make our education better so we can teach our people and have them work for their country."

Taqwa also stressed the need for employment. In an effort to help with the lack of jobs, the governor said he has put in a request to the Ministry of Business to build a small industrial center in hopes it will bring jobs and investors to Afghanistan, ultimately helping boost the Afghan economy.

Additional efforts to further development in Parwan, as well as other areas in Afghanistan include various PRT-led projects.

"The PRT is currently building administrative centers for efficient governmental services at the district center, which are equivalent to county-level governments," said Jackson. "We also continue to focus on road construction, but we are reaching farther into the districts. This again will provide quicker, safer and more efficient transportation. It will also assist ANP to effectively provide better security for the residents of these regions."

"We are working with the Ministry of Education to provide school book storage facilities to improve the long-term use of the school books currently being printed and donated to the MoE," he added.

As the partnership between IRoA, it's people and various aid agencies grows, small steps continue to be taken to eventually have Afghanistan standing on its own.

"We still have a lot of progress and reconstruction to go," said Taqwa. "But, I am very optimistic, that in the next 20 years, Afghanistan will become one of the most well-developed countries on this Earth, if the international community keeps their promises and support. We are definitely taking steps forward."