New reconstruction projects approved in Afghanistan.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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Afghanistan announces national reconstruction project
AFP[ THURSDAY, JANUARY 22, 2004 01:59:13 PM ]
KABUL: Afghanistan, struggling to recover from 23 years of war and drought, will undertake a nationwide $160 million project to build schools, medical clinics and communications facilities, a minister announced on Thursday.
The plan is believed to be the second largest reconstruction project after December's completion of a highway linking the country's two major cities Kabul and Kandahar.
President Hamid Karzai signed off on the $160 million project to build infrastructure in every district last week, Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali told reporters.
"The president signed the stability strengthening project in which the centres of every district throughout the country will emerge as small cities," Jalali said.
"This project will cover the construction of public institutions -- district buildings, banking systems, postal offices, telephones, telegraphs, mosques, libraries and conference halls in every district."
Afghanistan is divided into 32 provinces and more than 340 districts. Most government institutions have been damaged if not ruined during more than two decades of conflict.
Designed to be completed within two years, a governing committee composed of several ministries headed by the Ministry of Interior is leading the project.
The Afghan government is still trying to raise funds for the project with only $67 million pledged so far. |
