AS SULAYMANIYAH, Iraq (Army News Service, Dec. 16, 2004) - Military members, U.S. civilians and Iraqi officials charged with improving public works in northeastern Iraq gathered Dec. 12 to discuss issues and offer solutions in the country's rebuilding process.

The 1st Infantry Division's Engineer Brigade hosted the public works conference at the Hotel Ashur on Lake Dokan. Coalition and Iraqi officials involved with improving water, sewer and irrigation infrastructure within Salah Ad Din, Kirkuk, Diyala and As Sulaymaniyah presented updates. Concerns and viewpoints on public works projects and issues within the four provinces were shared.

This was the second conference of this nature, hosted by the division's Engineer Brigade. The first was held at Lake Dokan in September and focused on electrical power.

Capt. Gary Bonham, public works ministry coordinator for the 1st ID's Engineer Brigade, said the conference was significant because it was the first time "all of the major players in the sector of public works (water, sewer and irrigation) were brought together to talk about the ongoing reconstruction ..."

Bonham noted the venue allowed Iraqis and coalition reconstruction agencies an opportunity to "discuss the best way to rebuild the water, sewer and irrigation infrastructure in Iraq."

Iraqi ministers of Municipalities and Public Works as well as Water Resources were invited to attend the event along with the deputy governors of water, sewer and irrigation from the four provinces within the 1st ID's footprint.

Col. William Haight, commander of the 1st ID's Engineer Brigade, told those attending the conference that much progress has been made in water, sewer and irrigation in the four provinces, but added "not nearly enough" has been done.

Haight said that since the 1st ID began overseeing the four regions, $11 million in public works projects to improve water irrigation and sewer has been made. He said there are currently 25 projects worth $17 million underway.

"This is a lot of activity and money," he said.

Haight noted unfortunately not all of the money was well spent and achieved the desired results.

To remedy the situation, the commander said he hoped the conference would allow for an exchange of communication and sharing a better idea of what each agency does, from the Project and Contracting Office to the United States Army Corps of Engineers.



"Our job is to work ourselves out of a job in three years," said Bob Quint, senior advisor for the Iraqi Reconstruction Management Office of municipalities and public works.

"Iraq is a sovereign nation and thus is ultimately responsible for what gets done," Quint said.

Qunit said coordination, communication, cooperation and capacity building between the various agencies are vital for public works projects to be successful in Iraq.

Morgan Morehart, project manager for Washington International, Inc., said his company is currently overseeing two public works projects in northern Iraq - the Diyala Weir Irrigation Canal Structure and the Adhaim Dam Rehabilitation.

Communication, Collaboration, cooperation and coordination will achieve a successful public works project, Morehart said.

"Our mission in Iraq is to improve the future for future generations," he said.

By holding a public works conference, Bonham said he hoped it would facilitate "a free and open exchange of ideas" as well as open the lines of communication. He said the event would allow cooperation and coordination among the agencies charged with rebuilding Iraq.

(Editor's note: Information provide by a 1st Infantry Division news release.)