The 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, coordinated with the local government to provide trash cans to residents throughout Basra as part of a larger initiative to clean up the city.
“Both the Iraqis and Americans are committed to follow the terms and conditions of the security agreement, which we are applying step-by-step. At this time, we are going to start a new era of cooperation. In the past era, the cooperation was based on the military, but was also accompanied by some reconstruction efforts. The new era will witness that Iraqis and Americans will focus on reconstruction,” said Gov. Sheltag Aboud al-Mayah.
“Our American friends comprehended the important priority of having a clean city and also the priorities of having water and electricity. They will help us in having these things as essential services,” said the governor.
“Today, we’ll deliver to the people as a first step 12,000 trash cans,” he continued. “At the end, the number will reach 350,000, with each house having one trash container. This is the starting point for a lot of other projects to follow.”
In addition to the trash containers, the city plans on providing regular trash collection services for the citizens, said Maj. Stanley Hutchison, civil liaison team leader, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div.
“This project is part of an ongoing campaign to clean up the city of Basra and change the way the city does trash collection,” continued Hutchison, who comes from Salem, Ore.
Some of the other projects within the campaign include street cleaning services, incentives for citizens delivering trash directly to dump sites, repairing the trash collection fleet and constructing solid waste transfer stations within the city, explained Hutchison.
“For the long term, we’re also working with the Provincial Reconstruction Team to get an incinerator to dispose of their trash,” said Hutchison. Additional projects include continuing to clean the canals and picking up the masses of scrap metal within the city.
The U.S. has funded approximately $8 million for local trash collection and clean up initiatives, said Hutchison.
“Presently the city generates approximately 2,200 tons of trash daily,” said Hutchison. With the crippled trash collection fleet and other deficiencies, the city has only been able to collect and dispose of approximately 40 percent of the daily trash volume.
With insufficient waste management services, many residents simply dumped their trash outside their homes and along the roads. Children can often be seen playing around or in such areas. The local citizens have been used to such conditions for years, said Hutchison.
“These conditions are causing problems with the health of the residents,” said Hutchison. Such conditions can also lead citizens to be discontent with their government and the lack of essential services.
“I would like it if Basra was cleaner,” said 9-year-old Noordein. “It would be better. There will be more places to play safely.”
As a member of the first family to receive a trash can, he also said the trash can and trash services will help keep their own home and neighborhood cleaner.
“This is a good thing for the people of the city,” said city employee Abasi. Abasi drove one of the trucks loaded with trash cans and watched in satisfaction as Noordein and his family were issued a container.
“This will help make the city beautiful and we can have a healthier and cleaner city,” said Abasi, who has worked for the city for three years. He said recently things have seemed to improve and he feels hopeful for the initiatives driven by the current government and the future of Basra.
“We are thankful to the Americans for helping us in our efforts to clean our city. A cleaner city will benefit all in Basra, but I want this mainly for my children and for all the children of Basra,” said Abasi. By making it a better place now, he said they can have a better start for their future.
