Projects move forward as funds flow into Iraq (08/10/04)

The pace of reconstruction projects is picking up in Iraq as officials make commitments for the $18.44 billion allotted by US Congress to the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund. Army officials responsible for managing reconstruction programs and administering contracts said today that they have so far committed - or set aside for specific projects - $10.5 billion in reconstruction funds.

Acting Army Secretary Les Brownlee briefed reporters in the Pentagon today that $7.7 billion are already obligated, "which means we have actually signed contracts." He added that officials also already have more than $1 billion in "construction work in the ground."

The pace of projects in Iraq is increasing

"Now, I think that's even impressive if it were done back here in the United States," Brownlee said. "And clearly, it's more difficult to do in Iraq."

Brownlee spoke for just a few minutes before handing the briefing over to two reconstruction officials on the ground in Iraq available to reporters via a video link.

Charles Hess, director of the US Army's Iraq Project and Contracting Office, and Ambassador Bill Taylor, director of the US Embassy's Iraq Reconstruction Management Office, took questions on the pace and scope of reconstruction projects in Iraq.

Hess said that officials hope to have 1,000 projects started - and many completed - by the end of this year. Currently, 700 projects under the Iraq Relief and Reconstruction Fund are in progress throughout the country.

Taylor shared some statistics: Today in Iraq there are 28 water-treatment plants, 13 sewer projects, 72 health-care facilities, 5 public buildings, 62 "border ports," 9 fire stations, 37 electricity substations, and nine military bases under construction. Five water-treatment plants, one sewer project, and 73 health-care facilities have been completed. In addition, Taylor said, 3,100 schools have been "rehabilitated," and 39,000 police, 14,000 border police, three battalions of regular-army soldiers and eight battalions of National Guard soldiers have been trained and equipped.

Source: Defenselink