The country’s power distributor, Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS), on Saturday said it has collected more than 1 billion Afs of debts from former politicians and government organizations.
The collection of debts helped DABS to process the payments of the imported electricity in the country, a DABS spokesman Hekmatullah Maiwandi said.
“We have received 1.1 billion Afs (over $12.5 million) from government institutions,” he said. “We also collected 70 to 75 million Afs ($855,000) in debts from politicians.”
“The roadmap should be made such as pre-payment meters should be installed. An agreement should be reached with the Ministry of Finance. The government departments should pay their electricity through the finance ministry or any other institution,” said Amanullah Ghalib, former head of the DABS.
Meanwhile, Deputy Foreign Minister Sher Mohammad Abas Stanekzai in a telephonic conversation with Uzbekistan envoy for Afghanistan, Esmatullah Ergashev, discussed issues around imported electricity to the country, Foreign Ministry spokesman Zia Ahmad Takal said.
Stanekzai urged Uzbekistan to provide Afghanistan with the amount of electricity agreed upon between the two sides.
Kabul Chamber of Industry and Mines said that although factories have paid their debts to DABS, they are yet to be provided with sufficient power.
“The supply of electricity to industrial parks particularly in Kabul is not normal and this creates problems for investors,” said Sakhi Ahmad Paiman, deputy head of the chamber.
Kabul residents meanwhile said they are frustrated by continued power cuts in the capital city.
“If the debts have been paid, they (DABS) should provide service to the people. The electricity bills are charged as before but there is no power,” said Arash, a Kabul resident.
“We have no electricity. In every 24 hours, it is provided from 11pm to 1:00 am,” said Ahmad Shamim, a Kabul resident.—Afghanistan Times
