The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is improving quality of life and the environment here through the renovation of the Nasiriyah Meat Processing Plant.

According to USACE Project Engineer Greg Croon, prior to rehabbing, the butchers could only process a few animals each day due to the poor conditions of the plant.

“Most processing is taking place at various sites inside the township which is outside of any controlled health and environmental framework,” Croon said. “Local legislation requires animal butchering only inside the facility. However, as the old facility was so neglected and rundown, there was no feasible ground for the municipal authorities to enforce this law.”

Croon added that if no action was taken to provide an appropriate processing environment, the present conditions may lead to serious health hazards for the urban population.

The U.S. Department of State’s Dhi Qar Provincial Reconstruction Team recommended a total rehab of the old facility. “The rehabilitation of the processing plant will allow healthy meat processing procedures for the township of Nasiriyah and neighboring villages,” said Dhi Qar PRT Agricultural Advisor, Giuliano Masini.

“This will reflect positively not only on the overall health environment of the urban area but should increase revenues generated by improved storage, increased meat processing and handling capacity and higher quality standards.”

To alleviate the unhealthy conditions, the USACE’s Iraqi contractor, Al-Rafdain Company, is also installing new, prefabricated ancillary buildings for meat by-products processing, meat chillers, construction of a waste treatment unit and a new water supply system, supply of processing equipment and rehabilitation of some features inside the main processing hall at a cost of $2.5 million.

Training on handling and maintenance of the new equipment is being provided as part of the supply contract. “This is a key point to the success of the enterprise,” Masini said.

It is estimated that given the high demand of meat and the increasing urban population, the plant will generate revenues that will cover the operation, maintenance and financial costs. However, stressed Masini, the city must work hard on a good management plan, appoint a qualified administrator and skilled technical persons to run this renewed facility with modern business methods.

As an added benefit, the newly rehabilitated plant is expected to employ about 120 workers daily. “The plant will grow from 20 to 65 butchers, at least twice as many will be operating in the rehabilitated premises and other jobs will be created downstream,” said Masini.

MNF-I

The Ali Joda band prepares for their concert at the Ziggurat of Ur in southern Iraq, April 1. This concert was open to the Iraqi public and allowed them an opportunity to see the Ziggurat up close. Photo by Spc. Creighton Holub

Jazz, the only musical style that is truly American, has been played in many odd and unusual places. None more unusual than this concert venue, the 5,000 year old Ziggurat of Ur.

The smooth sounds of keyboard, drums and saxophone echoed off the walls of the 5,000 year old Ziggurat of Ur at a concert, April 1.

“This concert is because of all of you,” said Dr. Anne Prouse, the Dhi Qar Provincial Reconstruction Team leader, as she stood on the stage in front of more than 200 Iraqi and coalition forces. “Iraqi citizens, the Iraqi army and the rest of the coalition forces are the reason why this is happening today.”

Prouse and her PRT assisted the Iraqi security forces, coalition forces and Dhaif Muhsen, the Ziggurat curator, to plan the event. The musical event showcased the Ali Joda band from Iraq and the Alvin and Atkinson Jazz Band from America.

“In some other countries in the world, like Egypt or Jordan, they depend on tourism,” said Muhsen. “This is a good thing and I hope that Iraq can depend on its tourism using places like the Ziggurat.”

The Ali Joda band started the night by performing some of their internationally known music, which was played worldwide, including at the White House. After a standing ovation, America’s Alvin Atkinson Jazz Band took the stage.

“It was wonderful to see the [Iraqi citizens] united through music,” said Lt. Col. Mark Nelson, the deputy commander of the 4th Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division. “They were able to sample a short, yet enjoyable moment of normalcy during this cultural event.”

DVIDS
Story by Pfc. Rebekah Lampman