LASHKARGAH (Pajhwok): Helmand provincial council members see personal benefits and negligence of local officials as main hurdles to executing reconstructions projects, an allegation rejected by the authorities as groundless.
Mohammad Karim Atal, head of the council, told Pajhwok Afghan News reconstruction projects in the province had been completely frozen due to the dismal performance of officials of unity government and negligence of local authorities.
Young people had been affected since they could not have any job, he claimed, alleging scores of youth had rejoined anti-state armed groups. Atal added the security situation could be improved if reconstruction projects were launched in the province.
Hayatullah Mayar, provincial council secretary, complained Helmand had not witnessed any reconstruction project since long. “Rural Reconstruction and Development (RRD) claims some projects have been started in Sangin and Kajaki district. But in fact, no projects have been implemented there.”
Mohammad Omar Qane, director of RRD, said: “We started some projects in Sangin and Kajaki districts last year when the security situation was better than this year.”  He added RRD planned reconstruction projects under the National Solidarity Program in the province.
The director did not deny corruption in reconstruction projects and sought PC members' cooperation in dealing with the challenge. “PC members should expose poor-quality projects so we could improve the quality and avoid corruption,” he reasoned.
Omar Zwak, the governor's spokesperson, confirmed fewer reconstruction projects but he hoped their number would increase since local officials spared no efforts to rebuild the province.
shah/nh/mud