PRT DIYALA: PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT

UNCLAS BAGHDAD 000402 SIPDIS SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PREL ECON ENRG EAID SOCI IZ SUBJECT: PRT DIYALA: PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT INCREASINGLY RESPONSIVE TO CITIZENS' NEEDS REF: January 16, 24, and 30 Official/Informals ¶1. (U) This is a PRT Diyala Reporting Cable. ¶2. (SBU) Summary: Security in Diyala Province has long adversely impacted the ability of the provincial government to provide services for its citizens. Thanks to recent security improvements, both the provincial council and the executive branch are increasingly responsive to delivering services at the district level. Governor Ra'ad has made it a priority to visit each Qada (district) to meet with residents and Nahiya (sub-district) representatives to discuss their needs and the current level of services. Director generals, assistant governors, and one or two Provincial Council members usually accompany Governor Ra'ad on his Qada visits. In the case of Balad Ruz, pressure from an engaged Governor and expertise provided by the PRT and the 431 ST Civil Affairs Battalion have translated into improved service delivery for electrical power and water. End Summary ¶2. (SBU) Summary: Security in Diyala Province has long adversely impacted the ability of the provincial government to provide services for its citizens. Thanks to recent security improvements, both the provincial council and the executive branch are increasingly responsive to delivering services at the district level. Governor Ra'ad has made it a priority to visit each Qada (district) to meet with residents and Nahiya (sub-district) representatives to discuss their needs and the current level of services. All director generals (DG) and assistant governors accompany Governor Ra'ad on these visits to respond to queries and complaints by Nahiya councilors and the general public. Additionally, one to two Provincial Council (PC) members usually travel with the Governor. SERVICE DELIVERY IMPROVES IN BALAD RUZ -------------- ¶3. (U) Balad Ruz is one of Diyala's five Qadas (districts) located in the south. This heavily-populated district, which shares a lengthy border with Iran, has suffered through lengthy fuel, water and electricity shortages since June 2007. ¶4. (SBU) In late 2007, the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) completed construction of a large water treatment plant with the capacity to provide water to the entire district. Governor Ra'ad opened the plant and promised to work with the Balad Ruz Qada Council to improve services to residents. However, the water treatment plant operated for one hour before it was forced to close for lack of fuel. ¶5. (U) During a January 16 PC meeting, Balad Ruz Council members complained about the lengthy fuel shortages and warned that Balad Ruz residents were prepared to protest and "take matters into their own hands" if the provincial government failed to end these shortages. ¶6. (SBU) Meeting with the DG of Electricity, provincial government officials determined that the electricity shortage stemmed from a break in the lines outside Baqubah and could be easily repaired. However, due to the reluctance of the Iraqi Police (IP) and Iraqi Army (IA) to secure the area without additional Coalition assistance, the repairs had been delayed. ¶7. (SBU) Pressured by the Provincial Council and the Governor, the Diyala Operations Center (DOC) arranged security forces to accompany repairs crews to visit the identified area and repair the damaged lines on January 24, 2008. However, shortages continued following the repairs. Working with the PRT Infrastructure Team, the DG of Electricity identified the need for five electrical transformers to provide adequate and a continuous power supply to Balad Ruz, and on January 30 full power was restored. ¶8. (SBU) In late January, the DG of Water, working with the PRT and Cat A team members of the 431 ST Civil Affairs Battalion, was able to make needed repairs to the plant and provide enough fuel (approximately 90,000 liters) to bring the USACE water treatment plant back online. ¶9. (SBU) Comment: Both Governor Ra'ad and the Diyala Provincial Council continue to exhibit an improved capacity to utilize resources available to them, including PRT and CF expertise, and are becoming increasingly more service-oriented. In particular, Governor Ra'ad has demonstrated his commitment to better service through his many trips to the Qadas to inquire how he and the provincial government can improve their performance and the standard of living for Diyala residents. Iraqi Security Forces representatives have commented that improved service delivery is having a positive effect on the security environment as Diyala residents are more willing to work with IA and IP units. End Comment. CROCKER