by Capt. Joe Campbell
Panjshir Provincial Reconstruction Team Public Affairs
7/4/2006 - PANJSHIR PROVINCE, Afghanistan (AFPN) -- Governor Haji Bahlol and provincial leaders dedicated a new micro-hydropower station and governance facility at ceremonies in the Shutol District here June 28.
The two projects, which have an important link, are provincial reconstruction team initiatives undertaken at the request of the governor. The governor is the lead agent for all reconstruction projects in the province.
"The micro-hydropower plant provides the electricity for the new Shutol District Center where there will be a law office and offices for the district manager, director of administration and police chief," Governor Bahlol said.
The 9,000-square-foot facility is known by some as the flagship project for the district.
"The Shutol District Center is one of the first projects a traveler will notice while coming into the valley, and it is quite a value at a cost of about $16 per square foot," said 1st Lt. Chris White, Panjshir PRT engineer.
The contractor hired local villagers to do much of the construction, which added a sense of ownership of the facility.
"The opening of a district center is new for us and it will provide good service to the people who needed a meeting place," said Mr. Sayeed, a resident who served as a Mujahideen general fighting against invading Soviet troops more than 20 years ago.
The Shutol micro-hydropower plant, located along the Panjshir River, powers the new district center's offices from a clean and renewable energy source, and also supplies electricity to the police station and the entrance to the valley, known as Lion's Gate.
"There were some firsts for this area on the project, including the use of steel utility poles and porcelain insulators on the cross arms," Lieutenant White said.
The $90,000 project also includes retaining walls to channel the water to the turbine and insulated conductors to distribute the electricity.
"I thank Governor Bahlol for his leadership, partnership and friendship with the PRT," said Lt. Col. Neal Kringel, Panjshir PRT commander. "These projects are not only functional, beautiful and welcoming to the Panjshir Valley, they are yet one more step toward the future of peace for Afghanistan."
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