COALITION PROVISIONAL AUTHORITY
PROGRAM MANAGEMENT OFFICE
Baghdad, Iraq
APO AE 09335


February 24, 2004
For Immediate Release 2004-007 Bruce Cole, 914-360-5766
PMO Media Relations
coleb@orha.centcom.mil
 

Local And Coalition Officials Visit Underway Construction At Um Qasr Naval Base
 

Umm Qasr, Iraq – Local Iraqi Officials and representatives from the Coalition Provisional Authority visited the naval base here today to observe the progress of construction meant to renovate the facility.
The naval base is receiving many improvements. Among them are new buildings, sewage treatment plant, and water and electrical distribution systems. There is also work being done to repair the docking area, roads and some buildings. Nearly 250 local residents are employed at the worksite.
David J. Nash, a retired admiral from the U.S. Navy, headed the coalition team. Adm. Nash is the director of the Program Management Office (PMO), which manages $18.4 billion appropriated by the U.S. Congress to support the reconstruction of Iraqi infrastructure. Also attending was Major General Andrew Stewart, of the British Army.
Acting Governor of Basra, Brigadier Ali Shani also attended, together with senior officials from the Basra Interim Council and Ministry Directorates.
The renovation will cost approximately $10.3 million and is paid for by the United States. The work should be complete by May. Iraqi Coastal Defence Force and Coastal Regiment personnel will use the base for their operations and training.
Umm Qasr is among the first of approximately 2,300 projects the PMO will complete over the next few years. Most of the projects are not military bases. Umm Qasr and several others around the country are being repaired so Iraqi security forces can deter and fight the terrorists and make Iraq safe for the reconstruction work by PMO.
 

-PMO-