KABUL (Agencies): The NZ Defence Force (NZDF) has enlisted a contractor to clear firing ranges used by Kiwi troops in Afghanistan.
It was ordered by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern in November to urgently clear the ranges following the Stuff Circuit investigation, Life + Limb.
The investigation exposed the deaths and injuries of 17 civilians in nine separate incidents connected to New Zealand firing ranges in the country.
In a statement on Tuesday, the NZ Defence Force (NZDF) said it had signed up the contractor Organisation for Mine clearance and Afghan Rehabilitation (OMAR) to clear five firing ranges used by its Provincial Reconstruction Team in Bamyan province, Afghanistan.
The contractor had sent a team to the area the previous day to make an initial assessment and set up field offices, the statement said.
Stuff Circuit reported a survey of the ranges found 39 square kilometres remained dangerous.
The NZ Defence Force (NZDF) used the ranges to fire non-explosive and high-explosive rounds for 10 years until the Provincial Reconstruction Team left Afghanistan in 2013.
Before the Kiwi troops started operations the land was used by both United States and Russian forces for live firing, the statement said.
The NZ Defence Force (NZDF) said it cleared the firing ranges after the team withdrew in 2013 in accordance with the standards of the time.
“However, after the NZ Defence Force (NZDF) deployments finished, the International Security Assistance Force introduced a new standard for range clearance, which was then adopted by the Afghan Directorate of Mine Action Coordination.”
OMAR won the tender against 10 other bids and had been deemed the best option to meet the NZ Defence Force (NZDF) requirements, the statement said.
Overseeing the work will be the Afghan Directorate of Mine Action Coordination, which estimates it will take up to a year to complete.
“However, the work will be spread over two calendar years, because much of Bamyan Province is covered by snow for five to six months each year, which will have an impact on de-mining activities.”
Contracts signed with both the OMAR and the Directorate were worth about NZ $6.2 million, subject to currency fluctuations, the NZ Defence Force (NZDF) said.
“The worldwide Covid-19 pandemic has already affected the project, slowing the contract process, and it may have further impact.”
