JALALABAD (Pajhwok): At least two provincial council members have never attended the elected body’s sessions in eastern Nuristan province, the acting governor said on Monday.
Hafiz Abdul Qayum told Pajhwok Afghan News the two had been living in Kabul and had never attended the council meetings since their election, while the remaining four members irregularly attended the sessions.
The Nuristan provincial council has nine members. Qayum said the Independent Directorate of Local Government should take notice of the absenteeism and find a permanent solution to the issue.
However, the acting governor did not name the council members living in Kabul.
The council head, Eng Saadullah, told Pajhwok Afghan News one of the two members living in Kabul had been nominated for a working committee and the second had personal dispute with the acting governor.
The absent members did not receive salaries and were marked absent, he said, adding: “Nuristan is a mountainous region, the remaining seven members visit far flung areas to know people’s problems and they have to stay for few days in the remote areas, therefore they do not come to office on regular basis”.
Saadullah also mentioned the council’s achievements and said they had effectively monitored projects concerning education, health and development and had been able to resolve several problems and tribal disputes.
Eng Ajmal, a local resident, said the provincial council members were performing well as compared to their predecessors.
“I don’t know about their absence but I can say the council members go to far-off areas to meet people and try to solve their issues.”
Ajmal confirmed the council members used to monitor projects and hoped they would continue to do so.
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