2008 PRT News
New
(PRT helps streamline project activities in Baghdad)
By Teeta Manson
Special Correspondent
Baghdad – Helping rebuild Iraq ravaged by years of neglect and conflict got a boost recently thanks to a new construction agreement promoted by the Baghdad Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT).
The working agreement, signed in October, was the result of a six-month long effort by the Provincial Projects Management Section of the Baghdad PRT to bring together all interested agencies in a partnership to streamline construction activities in the capital city.
The PRT served as the coordinator for the negotiations and drafter of a final document including translation of its technical language. Increasingly the Baghdad PRT has moved away from major infrastructure projects into a role of advising, liaising, and training local government officials.
The agreement was then signed between the PRT, the Baghdad Amanat (municipal government) and several other U.S. agencies responsible for reconstruction efforts in the city and is an important step in forming partnerships with Iraqis at all levels of interaction in the areas of reconstruction and stabilization.
In addition to the Baghdad Mayor Dr. Saber Nabet Al-Essawi and PRT Team Leader John Bass, other signatories included: Maj. Gen. Michael R. Eyre, Commander, Gulf Region Division (GRD); RDML Kathleen Dussault, Commander for Iraq and Afghanistan, Joint Contracting Command Iraq/Afghanistan (JCCI/A); and Maj. Gen. Jeffrey W. Hammond, Commander, Multi-National Division (MND) Baghdad.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, PRT Team Leader John Bass said that each of the U.S. organizations worked toward a common objective, “to assist the people of Baghdad.” He added that now we have the potential to do that “in a coordinated fashion that truly reflects the needs and desires of the people of this city.”
Baghdad Mayor Nabet Al-Essawi remarked, “The importance of this understanding cannot be overstated. This will ensure a solid foundation of partnership beneath us – not just superficial – but really solid partnerships.”
The construction partnership developed out of a seven point letter sent from the Baghdad Deputy Mayor for Technical Affairs, Mr. Ibrahim Mustafa, to the Gulf Region Division (GRD) Commanding Officer, Brigadier General Dorko. The letter requested that the Americans follow Iraqi standards for construction project execution.
Specifically, the Iraqis wanted the Americans to use the Iraqi contractor classification method when awarding contracts in order to prevent unqualified contractors from taking on projects larger than their abilities would allow. The Iraqis also asked for Iraqi participation and oversight of projects.
The new agreement addressed these issues and created a process for project development, execution, and turn-over procedures. The end result will be a better a better working relationship between the relevant U.S. agencies and the Amanat on construction projects. This in turn will lead to a higher level of success with these projects and their transfer to Iraqi control and ownership.