Iraqi Roads Get Facelift

By Polli Barnes Keller
Gulf Region North

TIKRIT — As the decision making for construction projects fall more to the local and regional governments throughout Iraq, Provincial Reconstruction Development Committees are stepping up to the challenge.

Eleven concrete road paving projects - at a cost of $3 million - were recently awarded in the Ninewa Province to 10 municipalities. These 11 projects were recommended by the local PRDC.

Created through the Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT), the PRDC was designed to teach, coach and mentor Iraqi engineers in all aspects of project and reconstruction and development. Committee membership is composed of elected Provincial Council members and Iraqi government engineers, while the PRT representatives serve as advisors to this committee.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers plays an important role in the overall PRDC process. “We ensure each PRT is staffed with an engineer officer serving as the PRT lead infrastructure engineer,” said Lt. Col. G. Thatch Shepard, deputy commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Gulf Region North.

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