The sewage plant was an Iraqi-funded government project, but unfortunately, the government did not have the money to provide full-time power for the plant.
“The U.S. government provided the money for three 1-megawatt generators to provide dedicated power to fill that need,” said Maj. Stanley Hutchison, 2nd BCT civil liaison team chief, 4th Inf. Div. “Without the generators to keep up the power, the pumps can’t operate and sewage flows back into the street, which poses health risks to the citizens and limits land use for residential or commercial use.”
By having independent power, the plant does not draw upon the city’s power grid, which is already hard-pressed to provide sufficient power to the city. Other projects are currently underway to eventually tackle that problem as well, continued Hutchison.
The generators, which cost a total of approximately $910,000, were part of $4 million spent by Coalition forces in Basra over the past year in sewage projects, including an ongoing project to repair sewage equipment. The projects utilize local labor, which helps stimulate the province’s economy.
Additional sewage projects are planned for the future as the brigade continues to meet with the local government to determine Basra’s needs. The brigade is also working to help the local government sustain the projects on its own, from developing budgets and maintenance plans to adequately determining their requirements and working with the various governmental ministries, said Hutchison.
“The city of Basra is happy for the (Coalition) support in supplying necessary power for the sewage plant, as well as the additional sewage projects that have benefited the city’s residents,” said Basra Gov. Sheltag Aboud al-Mayah. “The city has needed it done for a long time.”
The newly elected governor said he is pleased with the projects that began before he came into office and looks forward to working closely with the Americans to improve the quality of life for the people of Basra.
“This city was neglected under Saddam Hussein’s regime, but during these past six years, we’ve been doing our best to serve the people of Basra. Things are getting better here and there is a better future for Basra,” added Kusai Shaker, manager of the Hamden Sewage Plant.
He said he plans to improve the city’s sewage management, and within the year, he wants to implement a plan to convert sewage water into treated water for irrigation. He said he is just another Iraqi citizen who wants to improve his country.
Shaker said he escaped Iraq during Saddam’s reign, but “after Saddam fell from power, I returned to Iraq to help and serve my people.” He said he was glad to find that Coalition forces were here to help the country along its road to prosperity.
“Thank you for supporting the Iraqi people,” said Shaker to members of the 2nd BCT. “It is humanity to help people and we are friends: America and Iraq. We’re working together to make it better for the people of Basra.”
