Ghoris want work resumed on 5MW solar power project

FEROZKOH (Pajhwok): Civil society province on Wednesday demanded the government resume work on a solar power project initiated last year.

An agreement on the 5MW solar power project was signed last year in November between the Ministry of Energy and Water and Shangdeng Company. The $10.8 million project was expected to be completed in 12 months to electrify 20,000 families.

But work on the project has been stopped that irked local representatives and civil society activists of the province.

Abdul Qasim Sediqi, a resident, while referring to the delay in completion of the project said the government was not serious about the project.

“The government has a weak management and it doesn’t have the ability to work. It has no intension to work for people of Ghor,” he said.

“We want the local government to encourage the contract holding company to resume work on the project so that people benefit from the 5MW electricity,” said Sediqi.

Mohammad Arif Abir, the governor’s spokesperson, said the project was delayed due to slow-paced work by the contractor, adding that the local government was trying to get work resumed on the project.

“It is true work has stopped on the solar power project. The governor held meetings with the concerned authorities in Kabul recently and everyone wanted the work to be resumed. Work has been stopped by the contractor who wants some equipment to be purchased in foreign,” he said.

Pajhwok attempted to get views of Da Breshana Shirkat officials about the solar power scheme, but failed

nh/ma