Baraki Barak District Center opens in Logar province

LOGAR PROVINCE, Afghanistan- The Baraki Barak District Center officially opened in Logar province and was marked by a special ceremony, Oct. 27.

The district center houses offices for the district sub-governor, the local mayor and three judges who handle everything from land disputes to criminal issues, said Ronald Barkley, U.S. Department of State Representative currently serving as team leader for the Baraki Barak district.

“We’re trying to give them a positive image of what the government is doing here,” said Baraki Barak Sub-Governor, Mohammed Lodin.

“The District Center represents government at the lowest level,” Barkley said. “The whole idea is for people to experience government at their level,” he added, going on to say that sometimes it is hard for people in the smaller villages to immediately feel the impact of what their national-level government is doing.

The ceremony drew elders from across Baraki Barak. At the end of the ceremony, a plaque was placed at the base of the district’s flag pole, which was flying the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan’s flag high above.   Governor Atiqullah Lodin, Logar’s provincial governor, then cut a glimmering green ribbon strung across the doorway to the facility.

Following the cutting of the ribbon tours of the new facility were given.

“Its local government at its lowest level and hopefully at its best,” said Barkley.