Charles Hess, Iraq Project and Contracting Office at the U.S. Department of Defense said that he was encouraged about the reconstruction process in Iraq. He indicated that US$3.6 billion were so far spent on various projects.
He revealed, according to Alfourat newspaper, that the number of projects to be implemented increased from 8732 to over 9000. Hess added that his office is aware to the urgency to implement many infrastructure projects in order to help the Iraqi economy prosper. According to him, 12,000 Iraqis are now working on building projects in Sadr City.