Airport among 26 incomplete projects in Nimroz

ZARANJ (Pajhwok): Up to 26 important projects, including the provincial airport and a big hospital, could not be completed due to budget paucity in southwestern Nimroz province, an official said on Saturday.

Nimroz Economy Director Khanistan Munawar told Pajhwok Afghan News of 38 sanctioned projects worth $32 million, only 12 had been completed.

The incomplete World clinics, government offices and the airport.

He said 60 percent of construction work on the airport had been completed, but the rest remained incomplete due to a budget shortage.

The airport was being built on international standards at the Chagni area 20 kilometers from the provincial capital, Zaranj, at a cost of 650 million afghanis funded by the Ministry of Aviation and Transport.

Munawar said the asphalting of the only overhead bridge also remained incomplete and asked the Ministry of Finance to provide them more budget in order to resume construction works on the projects.

Nimroz airport manager Hidayatullah Yaqoubi said the airport was in bad condition and only helicopters could land at the airport, not planes.

The public works director said a 100-bed hospital also remained incomplete and only 20 percent of it had been built.

sam/ma