Heavy machinery donated; projects launched in Logar, Balkh

Kabul, September 15, 2007 (Pajhwok Afghan News): The US-led provincial reconstruction team (PRT) in Gardez, Paktia, had handed over earthmoving machinery worth $600,000 to officials of the central Logar province.

Abdul Haq Haqbin, head of the public works department, told Pajhwok Afghan News the equipment included two dam tracks, bulldozers and other heavy machinery.

He said the assistance would help solve the problems of the department up to a large extent. Earlier, he said, the provincial government did not possess such heavy machinery.

Haqbin said construction work of a 1,000-metre protective wall alongside Kabul-Gardez road began on Saturday in Tangi Waghjan area of Muhammad Agha district. Construction of the wall would be completed in four months, said the director.

Separately, a bridge was inaugurated while work on construction a governmental office was launched in Shighnan district of the northern Badakhshan province. Financial assistance for the two projects had been provided by Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN).

Akhtar Iqbal, head of AKDN in Badakhshan, told Pajhwok Afghan News the bridge, constructed at the cost of $67,500, was inaugurated in Karanj area of Shighnan district on Friday.

The AKDN also launched work on construction of office of the high court in the same district, officials said on Saturday.

Qari Abdul Shakoor, head of the high court, said the office would be constructed at the cots of $103,000 in eight months. He said the new office would have 10 rooms and other facilities for the staff.

Meanwhile, foundation stone of a 50-bed hospital was laid in the northern province of Balkh on Saturday.

The hospital would be completed at the cost of 1.3 million euros provided by the German-led provincial reconstruction team (PRT).

Director of the public health department Dr. Mir Wais Rabee told Pajhwok Afghan News the hospital would have 20 rooms. He said construction of the new hospital would help address problems of the people and health officials in the province.

He said completion of the hospital would take two months. It had been constructed on modern lines and would be equipped with all health facilities.