‘Monopolised energy sector against north-Kabul gas pipeline’

KABUL’s natural gas can be an option to prevent growing pollution in Kabul but this strategy was not implemented because of companies that hold monopoly over Afghanistan energy supply, according to Kabul Municipality on Sunday.

Referring to the illegal buildings in Kabul City, Mayor Mohammad Dawod Sultanzoy said strategy to bring illegal building in legal framework was being worked out and added another strategy for vendors and stalls was prepared because some individuals also held monopoly over vendors and stalls in the city.

He added an individual distributed 1,000 stalls in the city and every stall owners regularly give money.

Mesharano Jirga or lower house of the parliament on Sunday summoned Mayor Sultanzoy and Ezzatullah Sediqi, deputy head of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), to brief the lawmakers regarding growing pollution in Kabul city.

Sultanzoy said Kabul Municipality has no responsibility regarding controlling Kabul pollution, adding that still they took some steps to force owners of buildings to install filter system of heaters and informed some others to do so.

Sultanzoy said that besides forcing buildings owners to install filters other options should be utilized that could help reduce pollution in Kabul.

He said during his membership as lawmakers he suggested that with $300 investment a gas pipeline from Jawzjan to Kabul could supply natural gas which could be used as alternative to other items which are not environmental friendly.

He, however, said the energy supply system is under the monopoly of few and the supply of natural gas to Kabul was against their personal interest therefore this was not materialized.

He asked the Wolesi Jirga that being a legislative body of the state; it should work on plan to supply natural gas from the northern part of the country to Kabul in order to prevent further polluting of the air.

Referring to vendors and stall owners, Sultanzoy said they are not removed from the city but the manner they are functioning would be changed to make sure that they are not headache for the people and are not reason behind congestion.

He said this strategy would help improve the revenue of Municipality and also remove congestion in the city.

Ezzatullah Sediqi, deputy head of the EPA, said according to their findings there was increase in pollution this month comparing to the corresponding period last year, adding if the recommendations of the EPA is considered seriously there would be decline in air pollution this year comparing to last year.

“We hope that efforts being taken will help reduce air pollution this year. If our recommendations are ignored there would more pollution this year.”

He stress vehicles exhaust gas should be stopped, buildings owners should install filters to their heating system and tire and plastic should not be burned.

He said the use of coal by family contributed 30 percent to the air pollution, vehicles 25 percent, factories 20 percent and hotels 15 percent.

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