46 Uplift Schemes Completed in Kunduz

May 31, 2009 KUNDUZ CITY (PAN): More than 10, 000 families would benefit from roughly 46 public welfare projects being completed in the northern Kunduz province, provincial officials say.

A spokesman for the provincial Rural Rehabilitation and Development Department, Hidayatullah Zyarmal, said the projects were included graveling of 30km of road, construction of 138 bridges along with 186 meters of supporting wall, digging of 172 wells for drinking water, extension of an electric wire with 220 volt capacity, a social center, 5 water heads, 30 sewing and literacy courses and carpet weaving.

Zyarmal told Pajhwok Afghan News the projects had been carried out in six districts and capital city of the province with a total cost of 31982000 million afghani provided by the rural rehabilitation and development ministry.

He claimed the completed projects would benefit approximately 10245 families in the said districts.

A tribal elder from Chardarah district, Haji Abdul Halim, said on the request of the Ghroqshalaq village's people, the Provincial Development Council (PDC) extended a 2500 meters wire having the capacity of 220 volt from the city to their village, benefiting around 300 families.

He further said that before they had to use generators which were not only expensive, but were also time-consuming. However, he said now their problem was resolved.

He thanked the MRRD for the assistance and said: "Though the district is so closed to the provincial capital, yet most parts of the districts had no electricity."

The MRRD officials also say several other projects are underway in the province under the Work for Food program, providing job opportunities to hundreds of people.