SAMUKH – On July 23, 2015 residents of the Seyidler community of Samukh rayon, representatives of the local ExCom and the municipality, officials from the Ministry of Economy and Industry (MEI), U.S. Embassy and USAID representatives gathered to mark the successful completion of the community road rehabilitation project. The 370 meters of the community road was rehabilitated under the Socio-Economic Development Activity (SEDA) project in close cooperation with the local NGO, UMID, and co-financed by the governments of the United States and Azerbaijan.

The poor condition of the road, built more than 40 years ago, caused major difficulties and delays for the transportation of agricultural goods and products, for the timely provision of first aid in emergencies, and for daily communication. To address this issue, the community through the Community Development Council worked with the SEDA project, the Regional Department of the Ministry of Economy and Industry, and the municipality to rehabilitate the road for the community residents. The asphalted road will improve the day-to-day living conditions for more than 800 people in the community.

“This rehabilitated road is a clear example of the positive outcomes that can be achieved when local communities are given the ability to help themselves,” said Mr. Michael Durnan, Economic Officer of the U.S. Embassy in Azerbaijan. He also thanked the community for their dedication to mobilize local resources to improve their living conditions.

“The successfully completed road rehabilitation project will help people—and especially the elderly, women, and children—to move around more easily,” stressed Mr. Ali Gojayev, ExCom representative of Samukh rayon.

Implemented by the East-West Management Institute with support from the Ministry of Economy and Industry and the Council for State Support to NGOs, SEDA promotes fuller participation of citizens, civil society organizations and local and central government institutions to advance socio-economic development in their communities.