Thursday, October 27, 2016
Kabul (BNA) The Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) has recently signed a contract on 5 roads’ reconstruction projects with private sector. The contracts include 60.32 kilometers road that worth 1,176bln Afghanis and will be paid by the Afghan and Japan governments’ budget. The projects will be implemented in Kabul, Herat, Paktia, Nimruz and Bamyan provinces. Calling implementation of such projects a move toward economic development, Mohammad Baligh, the minister of public works said, ‘with reconstruction of the roads, the problems of the residents in 5 provinces will be tackled.’ The minister also said that the contractor companies should reconstruct the roads with quality materials and the projects must be utilized based on the specific deadline, so we don’t face any problem in the future. He stressed that no negligence is acceptable and justifiable in works’ quality and the related issues. Mohammad Sami, Nimruz governor who was also present in signing ceremony of the contract said, ‘with completion of the project in his province, a part of the people problems will be solved.’
With reconstruction of a road in Nimruz, the farmers can properly transfer their products, Sami further said, adding if all of the province’s roads are reconstructed, the farmers’ products will be supplied in cheaper price through which we can also fight poppy cultivation. Nazir Ahmad Hanifi, the representative of Herat people in Wolesi Jirga while signing of the projects said, ‘the contractor companies should focus on their works’ quality. Because, we have such roads which have been destroyed shortly after their reconstruction, thus, if it happens, in addition to termination of the contract, the violators will be introduced to police and attorney general office.’ The contractor companies promised to consider the quality and deadline of the projects. A number of people and economic experts said that due to using of low quality construction materials, some of the reconstructed-roads were being destroyed again within a few months. Therefore, the government is responsible to prevent and fine such irresponsible contractors. Saifuddin Saihoun, an economy expert said, ‘everyone wants to have quality roads, but unfortunately, the construction companies in Afghanistan don’t use quality materials in reconstruction of roads. Therefore, the government is responsible to make the contractor companies committed so they don’t use poor quality materials in reconstruction of roads.’
In the meantime, a number of people believe that contracts should be made with experienced companies. A Kabul resident, Ahmad Ghayour said, ‘over the last years, one of the serious problems has been lack of standardized roads, because the contractor construction companies usually use low quality materials, that is why the constructed roads will be destroyed shortly after passing a few months.’ Sharifa, a government employee said ‘the constructed-roads must be surveyed and controlled by concerned organs and I expect the government to terminate and fine the violator companies.’ Earlier, the Kabul Municipality in-charges have committed to people to hereafter will contract with trustable and experienced companies.
Shukria Kohistani
