SHIBERGHAN (PAN): Hundreds of development projects have been executed over the past five years in northern Jawzjan province, but a number of mega projects being implemented in the province post 2013 were yet to be completed.
 
Projects such as electricity and potable water supply from Jawzjan to five districts were among the proposed schemes to be implemented the year in Jawzjan. However, work on its construction was being delayed from one to another year.
 
Locals expressed fear the two vital projects could be delayed further, saying that the ministries of energy and water and rural development had pledged several times to implement the projects.
 
Eng. Abdul Hamid, director Jawzjan economic department said more than 400 kilometres road had been graveled over the past five years in the province. He said hundreds of kilometres of roads were paved in rural areas, facilitating communications of the locals.
 
New buildings for 55 schools, eight health care centres have been built in provincial capital and districts, according to Hamid, who said construction work on 200 similar schemes, were underway.
 
The projects allocated for the province in 2013 include work on gas supply line and cleaning of gas wells were under way in Shiberghan city, he said, adding residents of the capital city would also benefit from the gas facility once it started supply to Kod Barq factory.
 
As many as 35 small bridges, over 1,500 kilometres protective walls, 250-kilometres long rural roads and 500 potable water wells schemes were executed elsewhere in the province over the past five years, he remarked.
 
He said construction work on 10 more projects such as health care centres, schools, water dams and drinking water wells were underway in the capital city and districts of the province, which would be completed during the current fiscal year.
 
He went on to say construction work on two water wells, water supply canal, health care centre, school and graveling process of dozens of rural roads as well as a kindergarten was underway in Aqcha, Khomab, Qarqin, Mangjik, Faizabad, Aqcha districts and Shiberghan city.
 
Residents complained no considerable development projects were executed in the province. Mohammad Jan Arya, a resident of Aqcha district said: “With the exception of a road in the centre of the district, there is no paved road in my town.”
 
The National Solidarity Program (NSP), sponsored by the ministry of rural rehabilitation, had only executed few roads and small bridges here, he added.
 
Nargis Ansari, a resident of Shiberghan city, said they had long been deprived of electricity despite the fact that the security had considerably improved in the province.
 
She confirmed implementation of a number of projects, but at the same time complained the projects were not measured up to their expectations, blaming the government for paying no attention to ensure provision of electricity.
 
There are adequate reserves of gas for generating thermal power, but the authorities yet to take any action, she said, adding: “The current situation depicts that authorities are not willing to pay heed to develop the province.”
 
Shaista Mir, a surrendered rebel said he joined the peace process long ago, but officials did not honor the pledges they had held with him.
 
“Before joining the peace process, authorities promised to provide us with more facilities and execute development projects, but they have yet to pledge their promises,” he added. He warned no rebels would lay down arms if the government failed to honor its promises.
 
Eng. Najib, an official of consultative peace committee said many development schemes had been implemented in areas, where armed rebels joined the reconciliation efforts.
 
Pointing to the construction of a sport stadium, schools and roads, he said all those projects were implemented by the ministry of counternarcotics and consultative peace panel in an attempt to facilitate the people.