Tale Of Two Cities
In some sad way, the story by my colleague Dana Hedgpeth last week did not come as a surprise.
She reported that a major power plant in Baghdad was not functioning after the U.S. government paid millions to get it up and running, according to a July 18 report by the Office of the Special Inspector General For Iraq Reconstruction, or SIGIR.
The U.S. contractor, Bechtel National of San Francisco, was awarded a $91 million contract to rehabilitate the two turbines at the Doura Power Station plant. It also won an $80 million deal to train workers at the plant and other electrical projects in Iraq.
Sadly, another SIGIR report from the day before also was not exactly a surprise, though some will find it troubling.
This one had to do with the renovation of the Ministry of Defense Headquarters building. This project, inside the relatively safe Green Zone, went smoothly, SIGIR reported. "This occurred because the project design was adequate prior to construction; there was quality and detailed workmanship by the contractor, and adequate quality management oversight by the contractor and the United States government."
The troubles with the former project means that many thousands of regular Iraqis have no electricity.
The success of the latter means that up to 3,000 Ministry of Defense personnel will be able to work in the comfortable environs of a "fully functioning office building," complete with new toilets, chandeliers, marble floors and palm trees out front.
By Robert O'Harrow |
July 25, 2007; 6:04 AM ET
iraq
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Posted by: jhbyer | July 25, 2007 7:52 AM
The profession of federal government contacting requires people with a flair for precision and a demeanor for reading miles and miles of technical and legal jargon.
It is important, then, when reporting on this profession to maintain a similar standard.
In the SIGIR report about the power stations (thanks for the link to the report), you imply that the result of those contracts were the blame for the inoperable plants. However, the report states in its synopsis (page i) that the power plants did not work "for reasons and subsequent events beyond the direct control of the United States government and its contractors."
You continue to try to show that the federal employees and contractors in Iraq, who face tremendous scrutiny (much more than an picky copy editor minutes before deadline) and the possibility of an IED (or other fun extracurricular activity) are in some way to blame for the lack of nirvana in a war zone.
Please read the reports that you have access to as "the devil is in the details." Please recognize that the these folks are not typical office workers just putting in their 9-to-5 until retirement. They work in conditions that are far removed from the typical Washington D.C. government office. Of course, they aren't all perfect, but you have to admit it is a tough job in a tough place.
Finally, recognize and appreciate the Herculean effort needed to get people and equipment to the other part of the world to bring an opportunity for better living conditions to the Iraqis.
Posted by: Analyst Joe | July 26, 2007 12:19 PM
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This is NOT the way to win Iraqi "hearts and minds".