Monday, October 3
IRAQI WORKERS, AT 1ST MILESTONE, GET $22M CASH PAYDAY
| October 3, 2005 CAMP ADDER, Iraq – U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Gulf Region Southern District paid out more than $22,000,000 in cash Sept. 29 to Iraqi contractors contributing to a number of projects in nine southern provinces of the country. In order to boost the local economy and provide entrepreneur contractors with the opportunities to compete, the Corps arranged to pay contractors in cash after they completed a certain portion of the contract. “This payment system is a bit out of the ordinary, but it gets the money into the hands of small contractors who otherwise couldn’t compete,” said Nick Ash, Gulf Region Southern District Resource Manager. “These cash payments helped prevent work stoppages and developed lasting, positive working relationships with the Iraqi people.” Small contractors hire local Iraqi workers, so the money goes back into the local economy through families that reside where the work is being done. An accountant for the district arranged for the high-volume payment after verifying the work had been completed. Roberta, “Bobbie,” West, a Tennessee native, was on hand to distribute the funds covering more than 1,000 contracts. “Bobbie is a hard worker, talented, and made the process of cash payments flow smoothly,” said Ash. “It will be tough to replace her when she goes home.” West is scheduled to return home in a few months. Projects covered by the payments included construction and renovation to schools, hospitals, roads, police stations, fire stations, water plants and electrical systems. Weblog LINK |
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