PUL-I-KHUMRI (SW): Authorities in northern Baghlan province claims they have spent $ 169 million on development projects in the past three years but members of the provincial council blame the government for embezzlement of the funds.
Abdul Hai Sajjad, Director Administration and Finance asserted that the money has been spent on some 187 projects in 14 localities of the province. These, he said, included new compounds for a number of public offices, schools, clinics and roads.
The funds are said to be provided by the foreign aid agencies and the Afghan government.
Shamsul Haq Barakzai, a member of Baghlan Provincial Council smells rat in the use of funds. He told Salam Watandar that a large chunk of the funds have gone into the pockets of the officials. Local analysts have also raised their voice regarding transparency in the way public funds are used.
Abdul Sami Wafa, Lecturer at Baghlan University is one of them. He noted that had this amount of money been spent in fair manner, the locals would have seen significant improvement. He stressed that misuse of funds must be investigated.
Analysts suggest widespread corruption and lack of accountability are among the major reasons behind growing lack of trust in the government.
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