INAUGURATED THE HERAT GOVERNORATE “BIG HALL

HERAT, Afghanistan (Mar. 25) – As part of activities to support the

Afghan authorities in governance, an important new project was completed in Herat province by the Italian Provincial Reconstruction Team of the Regional Command West, the Italian-led ISAF command based Brigade “Sassari”.

It is the restructuring of the "Big Hall" of the Herat governorate, a project being conducted in cooperation with the European Union under the development program called "Support to Provincial Governance" and includes - in addition to the restructuring of the government buildings of Herat and of the Injil and Zenda Jan districts - supplies, equipment and various materials and training courses for staff employed in government offices.  The renovation works were carried out with funds provided by the European Union and the Italian Ministry of Defense, for a total value of approximately 34 thousand euro, with removal and restoration of old plaster, replacement of existing floors with ceramic and marble tile, installation of doors and windows, covering vertical surfaces with marble slabs, renovation of the toilets, repair and insulation of the roof, improving the acoustics of the hall, installation of external sidewalks and the planting of ornamental shrubs.The "Big Hall" is an impressive multi-purpose room in which major public ceremonies are carried out, cultural and artistic events and hosted exhibitions, seminars and workshops.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Commander of Regional Command West - Brigadier General Alessandro VELTRI - Deputy Governor of Herat province, Asiludim JAMI, the Commander of the Provincial Reconstruction Team, Colonel Claudio DEI, and many other local government.  "During these last few weeks - said the deputy governor of Herat province, Asiludim JAMI - we attended the inauguration of several useful projects in the province. For this reason, the presence of ISAF Regional Command West is perceived as an important factor of stability and development for the growth of the country".During his speech General VELTRI said that the inauguration today "is a clear demonstration of results achieved so far along in terms of governability. The ISAF Regional Command West will continue to support government action in the province of Herat on a proper and independent capacity to intervention in support of projects that look to the prosperity and progress of the population".