HERAT CITY (Pajhwok): Secretary of the provincial council has alleged that some members of the council in western Herat province use force and extra-legal measures in order to resolve problems of the residents.
Sakina Hussaini told Pajhwok Afghan News use of force by some members was a major a major hurdle in their work which caused residents to have conflicting views regarding the council.
“Some of the members resolve people’s issues by force which is against the law and council’s principles. People do not understand that those who resolve their issues by force are the ones who actually work and the other don’t,” she added.
“Some might think this is strength. But this is a huge challenge for us and causes women representatives to be criticized,” Hussaini said.
She did not name any members using force but said despite these challenges their performance had been noteworthy than other provincial councils.
“During the last nine months, we have continued our monitoring work on areas of financial resources, district affairs, schools, development works and family support,” she said.
In the beginning, she recalled, the council’s monitoring work problems due to presence of acting officials, but with the introduction of new governor it had been resolved.
The council had paid special attention to improve security of the province. She said three women and three children, who were abducted in Guzara district, had been freed with the help of provincial council.
“We have many visitors on a daily-basis. People have complaints and want the council’s help,” Hussaini added.
The residents of Herat residents were concerned about recent incidents of kidnappings in the province, she added.
Lack of cooperation by local officials, she said, was another challenge hampering their work. “The first problem is that some government officials do not understand the role of the provincial council.”
According to Hussaini, people also did not understand the responsibilities of the provincial council members. “People expect us to help them in getting passports and visa. This is simply against the laws of the council.”
She urged people to cooperate with them in order to render better services to the public.
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