BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (August 16, 2008) — President Hamid Karzai addressed his nation’s road improvements and development in an address to approximately 400 guest at the Silk Road Hotel in Bamyan province, Afghanistan, Aug. 14. 

“Progress and patience,” were the words the president chose to describe construction work on a proposed 100 kilometer road, which will extend from the provincial capital to Nyak.  “This is one example of development, more will come.”

Due to harsh weather in winter months, which prohibit development, the construction will take time, said New Zealand Maj. Nigel Elder, the KIWI Base liaison for the Bamyan Provincial Reconstruction Team and Task Force Warrior. 

“The project will take approximately three construction seasons to complete,” said Elder, who explained that the road is a non-governmental organization project to connect the provincial capital to one of its districts in central Bamyan and represents a better life for the people of the province. 

New roads will also benefit Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition movement in the region.

Task Force Warrior is headquartered at Bagram Air Field. The TF Warrior security force, which drove to the ceremony where Karzai unveiled the plan, spent one full day making the trip to the Silk Road Hotel using the currently unprepared and badly damaged roads. 

“We drove through potholes and streams of flowing water, and the roads were so small and narrow that when we’d meet a jingle truck, the vehicle would need to move off the road so we could pass,” said Pfc. Rachel Richards, TF Warrior security force member, describing the trip.

Roads are critical to development as they connect villages, increase economic capacity, and allow cities to grow and flourish, explained Col. Darryl Tracy, New Zealand PRT’s commander. Without roads, schools cannot be built and teachers cannot travel to educate students.  Roads also provide opportunities for essential services and protection.  Access to more healthcare providers and increased security by the Afghan National Police bring a better quality of life and protection to the people living in Bamyan.

“Reconstruction should not always be measured in terms of dollars spent,” said Tracy. “Reconstruction should be measured on the effect it has on the people in the communities.”

Bamyan province is a community where much of the population is scattered and lives in remote valley villages without adequate access to roads or essential services. 

“Families strive to have many children because they understand that only one in five may live to see their fifth birthday,” said Capt. Armen Thoumaian, an augmentee to TF Warrior from the U.S. Public Health Service. 

Task Force Warrior brought Thoumaian on board to support efforts to improve the healthcare infrastructure with special emphasis on maternal and child health.  The New Zealand PRT plans to address needs by donating several ambulances and radios for emergency medical care and transportation to basic and comprehensive health centers. 

Development in Bamyan is a priority for TF Warrior.  The two-day Bamyan Donor’s Conference, held July 24-25, showcased the province to potential partners who may bring more projects to the area.  Aid agencies, the United Nations, and other countries met with the local leaders and Government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan officials to discuss infrastructure, health, education, gender and social protection. 

Bamyan’s governor, Habiba Sarabi, pointed out to participants how outstanding the tourism potential is and how keen the area is for investment and construction.

In addition to the initiative Karzai unveiled, numerous other roads are under construction in the province.  The U.S. Commander’s Emergency Response Program, paired with New Zealand Aid, are spending more than $8.5 million this year on construction and development projects in Panjab and Waras, the most populated but remote districts in Bamyan. 

The reconstruction of the 30-kilometer Shatu Pass Road and the 20-kilometer upgrade of the Panjab to Waras Road are the two biggest projects being undertaken.  Once complete, these roads will allow year-round travel for people in the southern districts.

The completion of 11 construction projects in the Panjab and Waras Districts were celebrated Aug. 2 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Bamyan. 

Col. Scott A. Spellmon, TF Warrior’s commander, acknowledged the dedicated work of the Coalition forces and international development agencies. He also paid tribute to Bayman’s governor.

“It is [Sarabi’s] vision and leadership that is of vital importance to Bamyan,” Spellmon said. 
 
Since the Taliban were driven from power in late 2001, more than 8,000 miles of new roads were constructed or improved in Afghanistan.  With Afghans taking the lead at the local and provincial government level, working on provincial development plans and moving them forward, the lives of Bayman citizens will continue to improve.

Prior to his departure from Bamyan, Karzai took the opportunity to talk with the Soldiers of the New Zealand PRT and TF Warrior.  He thanked them for their sacrifice and service to the people of Afghanistan.