KABUL (SW0: It has been almost a year-over 11 months to be exact-since the establishment of the National Unity Government (NUG) but many provinces are still being governed by acting governors much to the dislike of the locals.
A number of residents from different provinces complained about acting governors and said that it was one of the reasons behind growing insecurity and instability in their provinces. Salam Watandar talked to the residents of Ghazni, Baghlan and Takhar provinces who have still been governed by acting governor. Most of them expressed disappointment in this regard.
They said acting governors had no motivation for doing their jobs that affected their service delivery to a great extent.
Zarif Faizi, a resident in southern Ghazni province believed that if the acting governor continued it would further affect local governance. He said that in line with the rules, acting governors have limited authority hence they could not do their jobs efficiently, which would creates a huge gap in local governance.
Jafar Eshani, a resident in northern Baghlan province agreed. He said that most of the problems emanated from the office led by the acting provincial head.
Leaders of the NUG made several promises on numerous occasions to appoint new governors to all provinces but those promises remain to be implemented. The acting governors are also blamed for failing to curb the rampant corruption at the provincial level.
Aliullah, a resident in northern Takhar province said that the government should swiftly appoint new governors so that it could motivate and lead the rest of local officials to work with efficiency.
Meanwhile, Jawed Faisal, Deputy Spokesman for the Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah, told SW that appointing governors remains a top priority of the government. He said more than 20 new governors have been appointed and 14 more would follow soon.
The CE’s Deputy Spokesman made it clear that the leaders of NUG have no disagreement over the appointing of governors. He added first the performance of the previous governors would be examined and then the new governors would be appointed.
Qazi Ismayel Azad, a political analyst however, believed that disagreement between the President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and CE Abdullah Abdullah was the main reason behind the delay.
ENDS
