NILI (Pajhwok): The provincial council head in central Daikundi province says bolstered security, best health services and solution to disabled problems are among top priorities of the council.
A number of residents, however, complain the council could not deliver on its promises and in some areas its performance was zero.
The former provincial council was compromised nine members, including two women. However, nine individuals, including three women, have won last year’s April elections.
The provincial council remained close for 40 days due to differences with national assembly over the oversight rights of the council. Its office was reopened after they got the right back to oversee and evaluate performance of local departments.
The council says in the last four months since their strike they had many achievements and have established well rapport among residents. They say people’s visits the council in large number showing their trust on the body.
Subhan Naeebi, provincial council deputy, told Pajhwok Afghan News the previous council could not gain people’s trust as much as they were enjoying this time.
Naeebi told Pajhwok Afghan News: “The previous provincial council did not have good reputation among people. With better planning, we are trying to both regain the lost reputation and also to improve our administrative system.”
In their plan, security was their top priority and they were pursuing this goal aggressively. “We advised security officials to establish check posts in the areas where illegal armed men have presence,” he said, adding it was government’s duty to disarm these people.
Two months back, hundreds of Ashterly district residents expressed concerns over activities of illegal armed groups, asking the central government to put an end to the threat.
Residents of Khadir district had also said that armed robbery had increased in their localities and the armed men had taken money and mobile phones from students.
Provincial council deputy said there were reports of insecurity in Kajran district also and they had advised the local security officials to provide more weapons to security forces so they could fight the insurgents.
Kajran is bordering Uruzgan province and many check posts have come under insurgents’ attack.
The insurgents two months back had abducted 20 persons including labourers and drivers in the neighboring Charchino district. They were released after meddling by local elders.
Naeebi voiced dissatisfaction with health services in the province, saying they had been paying special focus to it.
He said during a meeting with public health minister they suggested reforms in the public health department of the province. The minister, he said, also promised to bring about reforms in the health sector in the province.
According to Naeebi it was after the provincial council’s insistence that the director of public health in the province was sacked and new director was deputed.
Daikundi is among the mountainous provinces with no asphalted roads and poor infrastructure. Lack of health centres and transportation means have caused the death of many people mostly mothers.
The provincial council deputy said the disabled community in the province and families of the martyred had faced many.
But Lal Mohammad Rafat, a resident of the locality, criticized the provincial council and said: “The council failed to do any commendable job. I as a resident of this area did not see anything the council has done.”
Citing an example, he said that health and education sectors could not be developed. Security situation had also been worsened especially in Ashtar and Khadir districts where a number of people were wounded as a result of violence there few days ago.
“Compensation for the victims’ families in Khadir district was not paid so far from the past one year despite people’s complaints. The families of those who sacrificed their lives for the country are leading miserable lives,” he said.
Rahmatullah Shariati, a civil society activist in Daikundi, said the provincial council did nothing for people’s welfare.
He added the council members were not committed to serve people but focused on protecting their own interests.
Another resident of Daikundi, Mohammad Mehdi was of the same view. He said the provincial council was ineffective and could not build security or improve the health services in the province.
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