An engineer, after returning from the United States, has undertaken the construction of a bridge in Yahya Khel district, Paktika.
This bridge, with a length of 25 meters and a width of 5 meters, is being built at a cost of $80,000.
“I had no idea, since I came here after 60 years. I didn’t even know if there was a bridge or not, but when I came, I found some equipment. So far, $45,000 has been spent, but it may exceed $80,000,” Aminullah Mahmoud, the builder of the bridge, told TOLOnews.
The locals are happy about the construction of this bridge and said that during the floods several women lost their lives because they couldn’t reach the hospital on time due to the absence of a bridge.
They also called on other wealthy individuals to participate in such charitable works.
“If this bridge is built, it will provide convenience for us and all the people of this area. Patients will reach hospitals on time, and other goods will also be brought in cheaper,” said Rasheed, a resident of Yahya Khel district, Paktika.
“When the water came here, we used to wait for three hours for it to subside so we could cross it. Now that the bridge is being built, it is the best work for me and the people of the area,” said Adam Gul, another resident of Yahya Khel district, Paktika.
This bridge is being constructed in the Ghaibi Khel area of Yahya Khel district in Paktika province, and will connect three districts with Sharan, the center of the province, and to seven other districts.
Abdul Hadi Arghandiwal, the acting minister of finance, addressed the Wolesi Jirga (the Afghan house of representatives) on Wednesday and stated that the government will distribute $300 million USD of aid funds in cash payments or food packages, instead of bread, to those in need.
“The World Bank and international community have agreed after discussions to provide us with other aid packages worth about $300 million,” said Arghandiwal.
The acting minister of finance, along with a number of other government officials, had been summoned to the Wolesi Jirga to answer questions regarding the matter.
The spread of COVID-19 has exacerbated economic challenges in the country.
The Afghan parliament’s finance and budget commission stated that due to the negative economic effects of the coronavirus, there is a deficit of 48 billion Afghanis projected in the current year’s budget.
“Of the 841 million afghanis proposed to the General Directorate of the Presidential Administration, 750 million of them will be transferred to the Ministry of Public Health in accordance with the decision of Wolesi Jirga’s joint meetings and permanent commissions.” Said Sayed Sayed Azim Kebarzani, the Secretary of the Finance and Budget Commission in the House of Representatives.
“Government officials are calling for approvals of budget adjustments in order to reduce the budget deficit and to allocate more money for the fight against coronavirus,” stated Jawed Safi, a member of the Finance and Budget Commission in the House of Representatives.
One of the adjustments proposed in this year’s budget is to borrow 17 billion afghanis from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) without any interest, but this has been not yet been either approved or rejected by the National Assembly due to the differences between the senate and the house of representatives.
“After the decision of a joint committee consisting of members from both houses, the budget adjustments should be submitted to the Wolesi Jirga for approval or rejection,” said Mir Rahman Rahmani, speaker of the house of representatives.
Meanwhile, a number of parliament members have accused their colleagues of colluding with the government to approve the budget adjustments. “Other members have already promised that they will approve the adjustments,” stated Hamayoun Shahedzada, a member of the parliament.—Tolonews
