GARDEZ (Pajhwok): Public representatives and civil society activists in southeastern Paktia province on Sunday warned to close the provincial electricity department office if their demand was not met.
They claimed distribution of connections from the imported power could not be started over the past 10 months.
Addressing a press conference in Gardez, the provincial capital, they warned if 13,000 families did not get electricity in the first phase of the electricity distribution, they would close the power department office in the province.
Mohammad Rahman Qadari, a provincial council member, told the presser that the issue had been discussed and shared several times with a number of tribal elders and authorities concerned, but their demand remained unaddressed over the past 10 months.
He said, “The provincial administration and some individuals in Kabul who do not want see Paktia progress are behind the issue.” He warned if their demand went unnoticed, they would soon close the power department.
The press conference participants brought lights in protest and asked the president to honor his promise in this regard.
Rahmatullah, a resident of the 3rd police district of Gardez, said Gardez business township project remained incomplete because no one was ready to start business there due to lack of electricity. He said. “We also demand the president seriously follow his decrees to know if provincial officials are taking steps regarding its implementation.”
Juma Gul Afghan, a civil society activist, said they no longer believed in hollow promises of government officials and they would not stop demanding their right until their issue was resolved.
A number of other residents expressed similar views and urged the authorities concerned to address their issue.
However, Mohammad Asif Niazai, the power department head, said the distribution of the imported electricity was delayed due to some technical problems. Niazai added efforts were underway to resolve the issue until next week.
pk/ma
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