Jalalabad (PAN): Laghman province though got hundreds of small rehabilitation projects, residents demand launching of expanded and long-term projects would leave positive impact on the lives of the people.  
Sarhadi Zwak, Laghman governor spokesman told Pajhwok Afghan News that multiple rehabilitation projects have been implemented in Laghman province during the last few years.
He said the province saw hectic development in education sector with the establishment of new pedagogical institutes and few private schools.
“Building and boundary walls of several schools have been constructed,” he added.
He elaborated several streets, protective walls, bridges, and roads linking the villages and district to the capital have been constructed, adding building for hospital is constructed to facilitate people.
Infrastructure of the provincial government is drastically changed with new building for governor house and provincial department have been built, he remarked.
Lauding the role of village and ruler development department in the rehabilitation process, he said small and large projects such as dug-wells, bridges, and protecting walls have been completed in villages and ruler areas.
Declaring the ongoing rehabilitations process as insufficient to cope with growing demand of the people, he assured provincial authorities are committed to cover as many welfare projects as possible. The projects once completed tend to bring tangible improvement in the lives of the people, he remarked.
Abdul Ghafoor Ghafoorzai, head of Laghman University told Pajhwok Afghan News: “The construction work of Laghman University is completed and the varsity set to provide higher education services the current year.”
Construction of Laghman University is a major, which would multiply education activities in larger interests of the people, he added.
Engineer Mohammad Ismail Dawlatzai, head of agriculture department told Pajhwok Afghan News said cold storages and green house are built in an apparent attempt to keep the fruits and vegetables fresh and to protect plants from weather effect. In addition, he went on to say dozens of poultry and fishery forms have also been set up in the province.
On the contrary, Laghmanies called on the concern departments to step up work on rehabilitation projects.
Khisro, the resident of Alingar district said government ignored the most vital projects. He said the Shahi Canal in Alingar district is in dilapidated condition, adding the canal rehabilitation would help irrigate thousands acres of land.
Schools’ buildings are direly needed to be constructed in Alingar district, he added.
Dost Mohammad, another resident of Alingar district said small projects are implemented in the province but Laghman needs large scale projects to be initiated to facilitate the masses. The construction of industrial park would help provide job opportunities to the people, he asserted.
Razia Niazi, provincial council member told Pajhwok Afghan News the province needs electricity, which would attract more investment to the province. She linked solution of multiple problems to provision of electricity to the province.
She said the construction of industrial park would create more job opportunities.
Abbasin, resident of Qargayi district said people are in dire need of construction of Shahidano Bridge on Kabul River because it is the only root that links Qargayi and Baadpukh districts.
Provincial authorities should approve more projects in order to ensure progress and development in Laghman, he said, adding he was not satisfied with the current state of rehabilitation.
Gulzar Sangarwal, secretary provincial council complained about the unequal distribution of rehabilitation projects in the province. He said projects were awarded to particular areas by trampling established merit criteria.  He alleged of massive corruption during the award and implementation of those projects.
“The projects were lunched in the areas where they were not required,’ he added.
He called upon the provincial administration to keep alert during the distribution of rehabilitation projects.
Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) and NGOs take part in the rehabilitation projects in Laghman.