Paktika residents complain about lack of electricity

SHARANA (Pajhwok): The residents of southeastern Paktika province are complaining about lack of electricity while officials say this problem will be solved soon.

The residents claim the previous and current governments have promised them the provision of electricity, but the promise remains unfulfilled.

Kabir Khan, a resident of Matan Khan District and Sharana city shopkeepers told Pajhwok Afghan News they had no access to government electricity and people were facing many problems.

He said he bought electricity from a private generator to meet his daily needs.

“Lack of electricity has caused problems, one unit costs us 60afs and using five units per day or night is expensive, and most of time the electricity is off, we need permanent electricity to meet customers’ demand.”

Rasool Gul, another shopkeeper, told Pajhwok they faced many problems due to the lack of government electricity.

He said people who had private generators sold electricity to the people at a high price.

“Previous government had promised to provide electricity, every shopkeeper cannot afford private electricity for being expensive,” Rasool Gul explained.

Also, other residents asked the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan to provide government electricity in the province.

On the other hand, government officials said they will solve electricity problems as soon as possible.

Deputy Governor Makhdom Abdul Salam Saadat told Pajhwok the construction of a 10 megawatt solar power system and substation will began in near future in the province.

“Electricity is important for development, we received approval for the construction of a substation and a 10 megawatt solar power system. The location has been determined and survey completed”.

Ministry of Water and Energy has signed an agreement with a Chinese company to build a 72 MW thermal power system in the province, but the project needs time to start, officials added.

hz/ma