Power project to benefit thousands

FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): Thousands of families would benefit from a new power project that would be completed in northeastern Badakhshan province, an official said on Saturday.

A water dam project in Faizabad, the provincial capital, would cost $41.1 million provided by Germany as part of its financial support for Afghanistan.

Gul Mohammad Baidar, the acting deputy governor, told Pajhwok Afghan News the design of the project was previously completed by German engineers.

A contract for the project was signed two months ago between the Turkish Tikai Company and the Ministry of Water and Energy.

He said the project included construction of a dam, installation of turbines and extension of power supply to Faizabad City. It would take five years to complete.

The dam would be constructed on Kokcha River passing through Faizabad City.

The residents of Faizabad use electricity through generators from the past five years which inflicted heavy losses on locals.

Attiqullah, a resident of Shahr-i-Kuna area, said that one kilowatt of generator electricity cost them 45 afghanis and they paid 5,000 afghanis electricity bill each month.

He said the Shorabak power project would resolve their problem, hoping the project would complete soon. Officials said the cost of one kilowatt of electricity would be two afs after the project was completed.

Abdullah Naji Nazari, Badakhshan provincial council head, called the project useful but said it would not supply power to entire Fiazabad City.

He added that the project would help provide 10,000 families with electricity while the number of families there was 20,000.

He added that the electricity imported from Tajikistan should also be extended to Faizabad and other provinces of Badakhshan to help all residents get the uninterrupted power supply.

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