KABUL (SW): Dawood Shah Saba, Minister for Mines and Petroleum told Wolesi Jirga (lower house) on Wednesday work was underway to implement a system within a year that would ensure accountability about the revenue in this sector.
The Minister vowed ensuring transparency in the biding process, collection of revenue and informing masses about it was supreme.
He informed the house that the President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani would soon visit Turkmenistan that would also see inauguration of the Turkmenistan, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India (TAPI) gas pipeline project.
Construction on the project is scheduled to start on December 13; 2015.The pipeline is expected to be operational by December 2018. Originally the cost of the pipeline project was reportedly estimated at $7.6 billion, but a more recent estimate was $10 billion. Afghanistan has associated high hopes with this project.
TAPI would pass through Herat, Farah, Helmand and Kandahar provinces before entering Pakistan.
The Minister also informed the house about repair done to oil exploration machine in Shabarghan and the increase in output there.
Saba added that multiple contracts worth around $ 110 million have been signed for the Amu region petroleum resources.
He affirmed that fragile security situation was a major concern in the path of success for the mines and petroleum sector.
He informed the house that a strategy has been shared with the government that compels the security organs to curb illegal excavation and smuggling of natural resources.
A committee has been formed under the leadership of Noorul Haq Ulomi, Minister for Interior for this, he noted, adding that promises have been made for the implementation of the strategy.
About small scale mines, he said enabling environment would be made for smaller traders to invest in this sector. Saba also mentioned that efforts are underway to map all natural resources of the country within next five years.
ENDS
