An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

PRT and Afghans make history

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Trevor Pedro
  • CENTAF News Team
PARWAN PROVINCE, Afghanistan --  Twenty-five people – Americans and Afghans, local leaders and Airmen – worked feverishly earlier this week to prioritize and organize future projects that will improve the lives of the people of Parwan Province.

Bagram Provincial Reconstruction Team leaders chimed in with ways to effectively take the Parlwan province to the next level, economically and governmentally.

“They’ll need to increase the police force and make sure they have a point of contact at the station, and of course that they get paid,” said Maj. Donald Johnson, chief of civil operations.

This is just one of the projects the Bagram PRT has spearheaded in the past few months. They have also provided roadways, new wells and a new high school.

“Projects like these need to happen to ensure trust in the government,” said Jabol Taqwa, Parlwan governor. “so, the people understand that the government is there for them. Once we provide increased security and stability, the gap between government and people will close.”

The governor’s answer to closing the gap is the newly-formed Provincial Reconstruction Development Team, which is working side by side with the PRT to stabilize the province.
“This is the first time in history that a province has a development plan,” Governor Taqwa said. “In the past, the government dictated five- or seven-year plans. Now, it is the other way around. The people are making the plans.”

The reconstruction plan is a road map showing people where they need to go and, more importantly, how to get there. That allows the people of Parlwan to be a part of the process, according to Capt. Mark Gibson, PRT information officer.

The plan outlines 12 major projects, ranging from health concerns, such as poor drinking water, to irrigation. The drafted document mirrors the Afghanistan National Development Strategy.

“This document is similar to our Declaration of Independence or Constitution in that it will move the province and Afghanistan, over the next 20 years, into an international arena and allow it to compete at a higher level economically,” Major Johnson said.