KABUL (SW): In line with the directions by the President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, the cabinet members continue to sketch ambitious 100-day plans to lead the country to a new era of self-reliance.
MRRD vows to utilize development funds cent per cent
The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) joined the list of ministries on Wednesday (28 July) that have shared their 100-day plans with the public.
Naseer Ahmad Durrani, the RRD Minister told journalists in Kabul that 49 percent of the annual development funds have already been utilized and efforts would be made to ensure it is utilized cent per cent by the end of the year.
Durani said 4809 development projects worth $ 144 million have been implemented during the past six months. More than $ 50 million were spent on projects related to education, over $ 40 million for electricity related projects and over $ 30 million for transport related projects, he said.
In his 100-days plan, northern Balkh province has most development projects while the south eastern Paktika province has the least.
Nadir Khan Katawazi, Wolesi Jirga (lower house) member regretted that the province has always been neglected. He told SW that representatives from Paktika have repeatedly reminded the MRRD about it but to no avail.
Culture and Information Ministry marks priorities
Abdul Bari Jahani, the Minister of Culture and Information, laid out his five-part 100-day plan on Tuesday (30 June).
Promoting art and culture, publications, tourism, establishment of a deputy ministry of youth affairs were among the important tasks in this plan.
The minister promised to reform the newspapers industry and improve communication between the government and media. Jahani added that efforts would be made to form media commission in consultation with the stake holders to better regulate and streamline the flow of information.
He said the ministry would promote books about acclaimed figures and historical places.
Finance Ministry aims at widening the tax net
Managing financial affairs efficiently, improving tax collection mechanism, cutting spending, and ensuring financial stability have been chalked as the Ministry of Finance’s top concerns in its 100-day plan.
Eklil Ahmad Hakimi, the minister said these measures would result in a stronger economy capable of responding to people’s needs. In order for the ministry of economy to achieve these goals, Hakimi said anti-corruption measures would be taken and transparency would be ensured.
He said less developed provinces and important programs would be given priority in budget allocations and. He stressed that foreign aid remained critical in sustaining the reconstruction effort across the country. Hakimi added that it was important to follow up on foreign aid pledges and facilitate bilateral or trilateral agreements for cooperation.
Among others, the minister vowed to review and improve budget planning, the way money is wired to bank accounts, adjust the regulation regarding property and purchasing registration, transfer revenue to the treasury on a regular basis and facilitate remittances sent by countrymen from abroad.
The MoF also plans to raise some taxes and register up to 2000 new tax payers. With regards to customs, the minister noted that revenue collection system at various dry ports would be improved. Finalizing the custom agreement with Iran and the United Arab Emirates is also on the agenda, he said.
Head of IDLG underlines importance of local governance
Lack of attention to the governance at lower level has multiplied the insecurity and added to the miseries of the government, Ghulam Jilani Popal, head of the Independent Directorate of Local Governance (IDLG) said on Saturday (20 June) while announcing his 100-day plan.
He vowed to modify IDLG rules, improve its governance system and reform the monitoring and evaluation system of local institutions in a bid to strengthen governance at the lower level. Popal noted that so far 22 out of whole 34 provinces have got new governors while the rest and their associates would be fairly appointed soon.
Highlighting the challenges local officials face, he said four district chiefs have lost lives in line of duty recently.
“The enemies have gained from the vacuum of power, weak governance at the local level was responsible for the worsening security situation in the past 13 years”, Popal said.
The IDLG head said the department was struggling financially but the government was trying to increase its budget.
"A department that controls all municipalities across the country and has more than 6,000 personnel has a budget of $ 36 million only" he lamented.
MoE vows to evaluate billions of dollars spent on reconstruction
Abdul Sattar Murad, Minister for Economics has said despite billions of dollars worth of international aid flowing into the country over the past fourteen years, 36% of the population remained below poverty line.
Sharing his ministry’s 100-day plan with reporters in Kabul on Monday (22 June), Murrad said it would be evaluated how the international funds were spent and the findings would be shared with the people.
He added national conference would be organized to streamline the work of local and international non-government organizations. The minister vowed to make sure Afghanistan comply with the Millennium and Sustainable Development Goals.
His other priorities included enhancing regional economic ties, establishing central monitoring system and expediting projects to lift the under-developed and border provinces.
Energy and Water Ministry stresses the need to build dams
The Ministry of Energy and Water has promised to develop a comprehensive monitoring mechanism to oversight the projects.
Ali Ahmad Osmani, the minister said this while announcing his 100-day plan here on Sunday 21 June. He mentioned work on six dam projects were underway. “No single hydro power dam project has been completed by the previous government, dams remain under study, the speed and quality of the monitoring system is too weak”, Osmani noted.
Bringing reforms and lifting the capacity of the ministry, addressing the challenges in the energy sector and resolving issues hindering the dam development projects were highlighted as top priorities.
MoUDA seeks way to resolve housing issues
A comprehensive strategy would be devised to ensure sound system of urban development and eliminate interference in the work of municipalities, Syed Sadat Naderi, the miniser for Urban Development Affairs (MoUDA) said while presenting 100-day plan of his ministry on Tuesday (16 June).
Naderi noted that the ministry was faced with various daunting challenges that included the settlement of refugees returning to country, relocation of internally displaced people, the construction of illegal buildings and the land mafia. Vowing to end corruption, he said the ministry was reviewing the situation and working on a comprehensive strategy to find solution for the housing issues too.
The minister said special schemes would be put in place for lower income people to provide them affordable housings. In a bid to stop corruption, he said the construction contracts awarded in the past would be reviewed as well.
Last month, six high-ranking officials of the MoUDA were charged with corruption and barred from leaving the country.
Rabbani stresses upon balance in foreign policy
Salahuddin Rabbani, the Minister of Foreign Affairs said on Saturday (June 21) that Afghanistan would ensure balance in its foreign policy and would not sacrifice ties with one country over another.
He said this while sharing the salient features of MoFA’ 100-day plan. The minister categorized his plan in five broader sections that were titles as; Reforms, Foreign Policy, Foreign Relations, Safeguarding the Rights of Afghan Refugees, Human and Women Rights.
He said Afghanistan wants to have friendly ties with both India and Pakistan. Concerns have been raised by various sections of the society over the paradigm shift of ties with Pakistan following the change of government in Kabul.
On his part, Rabbani however, explained that both Delhi and Islamabad remained important neighbors and would remain allies.
He vowed to bring reforms in the ministry and review the contracts and foreign policy devised by the former government. The minister expressed intent to join the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the regional body that aims to strengthen ties among member states.
For cost cutting measures, Rabbani said embassies in Brazil, South Africa and Hungary would be closedown. He added that skilled and deserving people would be hired to run this important ministry efficiently.
Minister promises investigation into corruption charges
Efforts would be made to ensure pension funds for more than fifty thousand retired employees, Nasrin Oryakhil, the minister for Labor, Social Affairs, Martyrs and Disabled (MoLSAMD) vowed while announcing her 100-day plan.
The minister promised investigation would be launched into allegations of corruption involving high ranking officials within the ministry. Recent media reports have alleged Samimullah Sultani, Adminstrative Manager at the MoLSAMD for squandering millions of afghanis.
Last month, the Independent Joint Anti-Corruption Monitoring & Evaluation Committee (MEC), an independent watchdog, revealed the MoLSAMD has systematically embezzled about $8 million a year during the past few years.
The Minister also promised to review the laws of work in the country in a bid to improve the working conditions and benefits for the laborers.
Dr. Momand vows to lift the standard of higher education
The Ministry of Higher Education MoHE has acknowledged the fact that the standard of studies both at public and private level was worsening day by day and needed immediate measures for improvement.
Dr. Fareeda Momand, the minister said this while sketching her 100-day plan here on Sunday (14 June). She announced the curriculum would be reviewed and rules of getting scholarships for higher studies abroad would be reformed.
Admitting that rampant corruption in the ministry did deprive many deserving students the chance to excel, the minister said the selection process of students for foreign scholarships would be digitalized to curb chances of corruption and nepotism.
She said that graduated students would be awarded with degrees and certificates immediately after their passing-out unlike the past when students had to wait for weeks to get their degrees. Dr. Momand added that the medium of studies in some faculties would be changed to English to make students competent at world level.
She also vowed to ensure measures to counter harassment of female students in the universities.
"Afghan forces would root-out Daesh": Ulomi
The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) was using propaganda campaign to attract more and more militants to their ranks but they would not be allowed to physically grow stronger, Nur ul-Haq Ulumi, the Minister for Interior Affairs has said.
Sharing his 100-day work plan with the press here on Saturday (13 June), the minister said scores of foreign rebels from Pakistan and the Central Asian States were striving hard to gain ground in the country. “The Afghan security forces would root-out “Daesh” from here”, he said.
He noted ensuring lasting peace, safeguarding the borders, dismantling illegal armed gangs, improving coordination among the security forces, strengthening the Afghan Local Police (ALP), curbing the narcotics trade and streamlining the arms licenses’ regime as his top priorities.
Ulumi added that recruitment process for the forces would be expedited and compliance to human rights in the prisons would be guaranteed. The minister said apart from this short-term plan, he was aiming at bringing more and more capable persons to this important ministry.
Health minister vows to establish more hospitals
Firozuddin Feroz, the Minister of Public Health presented his plan on Monday (08 June). The salient features of his plan included promises to streamline health services delivery to the public, lifting the skills of health practitioners and bring an end to the polio virus.
The minister said more hospitals would be built in provinces. He also said that his ministry had held talks with Pakistan and India on the issue of Afghans seeking medical treatment in the respective countries. He said Afghans were being forced to spend large sums of money when seeking specialized health care and said he had asked the two countries to help assist Afghans where possible.
He however, stressed that only 10 good quality hospitals in the country could save countrymen from wasting time and resources in seeking health treatment abroad.
Recalling the efforts of the MoPH, the minister said many companies involved in trading sub-standard medicines have faced deserving consequences and a new framework for the medicine trade was under consideration.
He stressed upon the need for reforms in the ministry in a bid to ensure availability of enough funds to meet the growing demand for health services in the country.
Public Works ministry eyes strengthening rail network
Sharing his 100-day plan, the Minister for Public Works declared stimulating and strengthening the Railways department in order to make Afghanistan a transit hub between South and Central Asia was a top priority.
Mahmood Baligh, the minister, said a comprehensive survey of existing road networks would be conducted and rest of the activities would be in line with previous work done in the ministry to bring inclusive reforms.
He added technical survey of 270 kilometers Herat-Mashhad rail and road network would be completed within time. The Minister also spoke about lifting the capacity of Public Works employee.
Baligh said the Salang Highway would be completed within next three months with the support of Asian Development Bank ADB.
MoBTA plans to establish “Jirgas” in various zones
The Borders and Tribal Affairs Minister presented his plan on Saturday (06 June). Gulab Mangal noted that the MoBTA would strive to establish ‘Jirgas’ (Council of elders) across the country in a bit to ensure peace and improve services' delivery.
"With the implementation of this plan we are trying to address the people's issues and also attract their cooperation in the peace process and provide security which is a very serious need," he said.
Some 20 border provinces are facing serious security crisis, he said, adding that 94 districts in particular were witnessing militancy on daily basis.
Mangal emphasized that for the solving of the issues in the border areas of the country the ministry needed more financial support.
He also urged upon the need for better coordination with the neighboring countries in a bid to resolve troubles at the bordering areas.
Land to be allocated for refugees and repatriates
Syed Hussain Alimi, the Minister of Refugees and Repatriates has vowed to allocate some 171 jeribs of land for the refugees and displaced persons.
He said this while announcing his ministry’s 100-day plan here on Wednesday (04 June). The newly appointed minister said efforts would be made to ensure timely implementation of the 5-year plan, sign an agreement over the fate of Afghan refugees with the government of Pakistan and guarantee the four-party meeting over same issue with Iran, Pakistan and the United Nations.
Alimi stressed that curbing corruption and leading the ministry into the digital era were part of his plan.
The MoRR figures suggest around one million people are internally displaced due to various reasons while around 6 million Afghan refugees are living abroad.
Minister vows to empower women
On June 02, the Minister of Women's Affairs Dilbar Nazari presented her plan for the next 100 days. The Minister vowed to appoint women at key posts and to accelerate efforts to establish a special court to handle cases of violence against women.
"We plan to implement actions which directly impact women's lives and to expand their role and to address the issues facing women," she said.
The newly appointed minister highlighted the need to set up special courts to deliberate quickly cases of violence against women.
"Justice for all!"
On Sunday (May 31), Abdul Basir Anwar, Minister for Justice announced his 100-day plan that was divided in four broader aspects i.e. the legislative, legal services, administration and the matters related to under aged prisoners.
The new minister promised to pitch at least 20 amendments to the existing laws to ensure transparency, justice and better service delivery in various departments.
He termed encroachment of the state-land and rampant corruption as two major challenges.
Waheedi promises easy and better internet access
The Minister for Information Technology and Broadcasting has pledged to provide easy and better internet access to the university students as part of the ministry’s 100-day plan.
Abdul Razaq Waheedi, the minister announced the plan on Thursday (May 28). He said devising a comprehensive strategy for expanding the fiber optic network for fast internet access across the country was among his top priorities.
The minister mentioned paving the way for e-governance, and encouraging the private sector in the fields of information and technology as part of his agenda.
He further said in the next 100 days, agreements would be signed with the ministries related to education for the formation of better system of studies.
Abdul Razaq Waheedi added that top ten universities would be connected via the fiber optic and some five universities would be equipped with free internet spots.
The minister assured President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani about linking various ministries with the Presidential Palace via web-link so that too many VIP movements could be avoided and time would be saved.
The President urged upon the IT ministry to safeguard the rights of consumers. The need to turn mobile phones into handy tools of communication for peace was also stressed.
Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock ministry unveils 100-day plan
The newly appointed Minister for Agriculture, Irrigation & Livestock unveiled his eight-point agenda on Saturday (30 May) that would serve as the ministry’s 100-day plan.
Assadullah Zamir, the AIL Minister told journalists in Kabul that vigorous efforts would be made to implement the plan. He classified irrigation, wheat and other strategic stocks, forestry, livestock, research, organization of natural reserves and forests, private sector and skill development as the eight areas of action.
The minister said that 13 new irrigation centers would be established in five zones across the country. He added some 3500 new gardens and 95 greenhouses would be developed. Zamir added 30 mobile labs to be made available to farmers in case of disasters while new pistachio and pine tree forests would be erected at some 1600 hector of land.
“I have devised this plan keeping the challenges and needs in mind, God willing! Within 100 days I would implement this plan”, he said.
He added that 115 new schools would be developed to educate the farmers and soft loans ranging from $ 500 to 2000 would be made available to the growers.
Assadullah Zamir went on to say that in particular, some 600 stores to turn grapes into raisin would be developed in Kabul, Herat, Balkh, Kunduz and Nangarhar provinces. Eight cold storages, he said, would be erected in Kabul, Nangarhar, Herat, Balkh and Kunduz.
Minister anxious about the country’s trade deficit
Humayou Rasa, Minister for Trade and Commerce has warned if serious attention was not paid towards the worsening trade deficit, the country would plunge into an entirely import dependent one.
Rasa said this while outlining his priorities for the next 100-day in office on Wednesday (27 May). As per policy, President Ashraf Ghani has asked all 25 ministers of his cabinet to draw such plans and strive to implement them.
On his part, the trade and commerce minister said promoting the private sector, encouraging foreign direct investment, job creation, encouraging domestic products and ultimately balancing the trade deficit remained top priorities.
“Our imports are at least 20 times more than exports that means if we bring a U.S. dollar to the country against our exports 20 dollars go out against the goods and services we import”, he said. The minister added that his ministry would try to develop various dry ports in the country in collaboration with the international community and neighboring countries.
In his speech, while announcing the 100-day plan, the minister underlined that the worsening state of security could jeopardize the efforts to lift the economy.
Usmani wants to have mosques on board
Faiz Mohammad Usmani, the Hajj and Religious Affairs Minister presented his ministry's 100-day plan to the earlier this week. As per the plan, Usmani underlined the need to regulate the state-owned mosques and streamline the Friday sermons so that the true messages of Islam reach to as many devotee Muslims as possible.
The minister stressed upon the need to keep a close contact with the prayer leaders on regular basis, especially about topic selection for the Friday sermons.
“The respected Imams would receive suggestions about topics for Juma (Friday) prayer through mobile messages, this step is to ensure unity among the masses and spreading right message of Islam”, Usmani said.
In a bid to win religious community’s confidence, the minister vowed that some 700 new posts vowed be created for Islamic scholars and the existing 4426 contracted posts would be made permanent so that the projects planned and executed by the officials do not collapse in the middle if their term of service ends. “No religious scholar will be working on contract base anymore, we would ensure their permanent place in the ministry”, he said
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