KABUL (SW) – Ministers and other senior officials of different ministries were summoned by the Wolesi Jirga (lower house) on Tuesday in connection with utilization of the development budget.
The house summoned the minister of Public Health, minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, the interim minister of the Ministry of Public Works, the deputy minister for the Ministry of Finance, and the interim minister of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing to brief the lawmaker s about utilization of the budget.
Mujeeb Rahman Karimi, the Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), provided information on the ministry's work in irrigation, assisting displaced persons, developing rural industries, creating jobs for the carpet sector and completing other projects. He said 64 projects worth $ 4.3 million have been completed in the irrigation sector alone.
The Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development said that in the course of a year, 53 boundary walls for different rivers were constructed, 2795 meters of damaged roads were reconstructed besides other projects in the electricity sector and the Citizens’ Charter. He said some1,112 other projects of water supply are ongoing.
Roshan Wolasmal, interim minister of the Ministry of Urban Development and Housing, said that steps have been taken for the construction of settlements for martyrs’ families, the disabled persons and teachers, and the distribution of residential plots would commence soon.
According to him, about 100 schools would be built by the end of this year. He added the master plans for eight big provinces have been completed.
Minister of Public Health, Firozudine Firuz, in response to concerns expressed by members of the house, said that in most provinces, the foundation stone of health facilities and hospitals has been laid. According to him, insecurity is one of the biggest challenges facing them, which in some cases slows the supply of health services.
Niamatullah Haidari, deputy Minister of Public Works, said that 270 projects are in operation, including the reconstruction of the Salang tunnel, the construction of roads in the province of Nuristan, the Kabul Ring Road and the Kabul-Torkham corridor, which has reached the second stage.
However, a number of members of the house criticized the officials’ reporting method. Abdul Rauf ibrahimi, the speaker of the house, urged the officials to submit written reports of their activities to the house.
ENDS