FAIZABAD (Pajhwok): About 95 development projects worth 2.7 billion afghanis have either been implemented or being completed this year in northeastern Badakhshan province, while residents say these projects are not enough and insist larger infrastructure projects should be implemented.
Head of Economy Din Ghulam Osama told Pajhwok Afghan News this year 21 development projects costing 315 million afghanis were allocated funds by the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA).
He said 74 other small development projects worth 2.4 billion afghanis were either implemented or being in the process of execution in cooperation with institutions in different sectors.
According to Osama, these projects have been launched in the felids of agriculture, health, education, natural disasters, and the private sector, some of them have been completed and work on others has progressed by more than 80 percent.
“Most projects are focused on these sectors, but we expect NGOs to pay more attention to infrastructure projects to meet long-term needs of the people”.
Osama asked the people to play an active role in developing Badakhshan province’s infrastructure.
Meanwhile, some residents expressed satisfaction with the implementation of these projects, but emphasize that they need larger infrastructure projects.
Ahmadullah, a resident of Jurm district, explained they lived in economic poverty and the IEA should provide them with jobs by building the Pul-e-Soch power plant. Also, with the provision of electricity, the number of manufacturing companies in the province will increase.
“We appreciate the implementation of small projects, but our only demand is the asphalting and reopening of the Silk Road to China. I ask the IEA to open this transit highway to facilitate the transportation of commercial goods and provide jobs for the youth who are living in destitution”: Ahmad Javed, another resident added.
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