DUSHANBE, March 2, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- The International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) section of U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe has completed the first phase of reconstruction work at the Border Guard Academy in Dushanbe.

According to the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe, this project is funded by the U.S. Government and is one of a series of projects assisting the Tajik Border Guards to improve educational facilities for border officers and thereby support the security of Tajikistan.

The first phase reconstruction work at the Border Guard Academy, which cost slightly over one million U.S. dollars, covering the demolition of old buildings, a complete renovation of the dormitory building, and the installation of cold and hot water supply for showers and toilets in the dormitory.  The dormitory was also furnished with more than 1500 pieces of furniture.

The second phase of the Border Guard Academy project is underway and is planned for completion in late May.  It will cover construction of a new dining facility, gym, heating system, toilets, garages and a new ID checkpoint at the Academy.  The contractor for the first and second phases of the project is Bozdemir Insaat ve Mehendisilik Ltd., a Turkish firm selected through an international tender.

The United States Government is committed to continuing its support for Tajik law enforcement agencies. The INL section of the U.S. Embassy has cooperated with Tajikistan law enforcement agencies since 1992 in implementing assistance projects totaling more than 29 million U.S. dollars to provide border security, support rule of law, and combat drug trafficking efforts.