Further NATO support for Kandahar development

The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development opened bids for five major infrastructure projects yesterday, which will affect more than half a million people in Kandahar Province.

More than (Canadian) $3 million has been set aside for the projects through the Canadian International Development Agency, working as part of the Provincial Reconstruction Team at Kandahar. The projects were selected by the Kandahar Provincial Council in consultation with local residents and were approved by the Governor of Kandahar.

In Khakrez district, a 7 Km stretch of road over the Pogue Hill Pass will be renewed, cutting travel times to Kandahar city by up to six hours and providing local residents with essential access to markets and services.

In Ghorak District, 3 dams will be built to stop homes and agricultural land from being flooded and to provide irrigation.

Three bridges will be built in the districts of Daman, Shah Wali Kot and Dand, helping residents access markets and other services in Kandahar city. The new bridges will also reduce the number of people drowning in the rivers as they try to cross during floods.

The Minister of Rehabilitation and Rural Development Ehsan Zia said the Ministry greatly appreciated ISAFs support in helping Afghanistan to rebuild its rural infrastructure.

Zia added; These projects will boost the economy in rural areas and help improve security. We are very thankful for ISAFs help with this.

The winning bids will be announced later this month and work on the projects is set to begin shortly afterwards.