PUL-I-ALAM (Pajhwok): Construction work on a new building for the university in central Logar province was on Thursday formally launched during a special ceremony held in this regard.
The foundation stone of the building was laid about two years ago, but since then the construction works had been suspended for unknown reasons.
But once again, provincial officials and lawmakers inaugurated construction works on the $3.7 million project on Thursday.
Logar’s acting governor Niaz Mohammad Amiri said the university’s building was being constructed on a 250 acres of land in Pul-i-Alam, the provincial capital.
Of the $3.7 million estimated costs, $2m had been provided by the ministries of higher education and counternarcotics, $1m by India and the remaining by other countries, he said.
“In the first phase, buildings for the education and training faculty, administration section and a hostel and the boundary wall will be constructed and some other essential parts repaired,” the acting governor said.
He said the completion of the university project would further spread education in Logar and also enable students of other provinces to find access to higher studies.
Mohammad Asif Siqqiue, the Wolesi Jirga’s deputy speaker, on the occasion, said a nation’s progress and prosperity was linked to the existence of educational and cultural foundations.
“The country’s future will be in the hands of those graduating from these foundations,” he said.
Wolesi Jirga member Eng. Sahib Khan Kharotai expressed his happiness over the construction of the university building and urged wealthy individuals and traders to assist provincial authorities in this regard.
However, he criticised the central government for what he said “very lately taking the step to construct the building.”
Residents called the university’s establishment a big achievement. Mohammad Nasim Stanikzai, a Logar resident and a civil society activist, said the youth of Logar had a great passion for education.
“Until our people turn to education, every progress in this province will be a problematic task. Illiterate persons are a problem for the society,” he said.
Two years ago, then Higher Education Minister Obaidullah Obaid laid the foundation stone of the university building in the Al-Tamor desert, but the construction could not be started for unknown reasons.
The land for the university has been allotted in Sher Darwaza area, but some residents claim ownership of the land.
Haji Fazl Agha, a white-bearded man, said the land on which the university was being built belonged to them and they possessed all legal documents.
He said the governor had launched the project on the land without consulting them. He warned if the government did not listen to their complaints, they would wage a protest movement.
But the acting governor said all lands in the area belonged to the government and the claimers possessed forged ownership documents.
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