NAWA, Helmand province, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan — Naeem, an Afghan construction worker, puts the finishing touches on a septic tank for an annex building in the Nawa District Governor’s Center in Nawa, Afghanistan, Oct. 21, 2010. Construction projects in the governor’s center have provided hundreds of Afghans with job opportunities. (Official Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Mark Fayloga)

ISAF Joint Command - Afghanistan
2010-10-SD-305
For Immediate Release
By Sgt. Mark Fayloga
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 KABUL, Afghanistan (Oct. 28) - Do as much good for as many people as possible. That's been a driving force behind the planning of dozens of construction projects taking place at the Nawa District Governor's Center in Helmand province.

 From the larger projects like construction on a brand new shura hall, to the smaller painting jobs and air conditioner installation, Master Sgt. Sean Sargeant, along with the rest of the 3rd Civil Affairs Group and Nawa government, has been able to provide more than 500 Afghans with job opportunities.

 "The majority of workers are all local," Sargeant, the 3rd CAG team chief, said. "They come right out of Nawa. I see people moving from workforce to workforce, and you get to know them by their name and personality."

 Through ongoing construction, the CAG identifies skilled laborers who expand the local workforce. A larger workforce means greater potential for future projects and more jobs for the region's citizens, Sargeant said.

 Along with providing employment to as many as possible, Sargeant has been able to establish a reliable base of local contractors to work with. Rather than have a construction company complete a building from start to finish, Sargeant will have the larger companies complete the primary construction. Local contractors complete the final touches, and other Afghans are hired to complete simple labor.

 "By granting contracts this way, instead of paying ten people, you pay twenty - and then thirty - and it creates a much happier atmosphere to get everyone involved," he said.

 Once construction on the larger projects has been completed, the new buildings will create a need for permanent positions. "You need cleaning crews and maintenance crews, which creates more and more jobs," Sargeant said. "These projects give us the opportunity to employ many people."

 Significant transformation -- but not just construction projects and fresh paint - has occurred in the past six months. "I don't even know how to characterize the change I've seen," Sargeant said. "I can tell you about the new buildings and square footage, but it's not just physical change. You look at the changes in personalities, people, relationships ... I think we've established a great relationship with everybody. We treat them with respect, and I think they appreciate that."

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