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65% Afghans have no access to electricity – Integrity Watch Afghanistan
According to the latest research by the Integrity Watch Afghanistan, lack of proper governance in the sector of energy caused 65% of Afghan residents not to have access to electricity.
The research shows that the slow development of the energy sector is a major reason for the slowdown of the economy and it promotes corruption.
Sayed Ikram Afzali, Chief Executive of the IWA said, “If the problems in the energy sector continue, the economy’s growth will slow down. Eco-life problems will get worse and out of control.”
The research shows that the Ministry of Energy and Water doesn’t legally assign executive tasks to the electricity company, water supply company, and urban canalization.
Mohammad Naser Timori, manager of communications and litigation said, “Afghanistan’s plan for 2020 to give access to governmental power for 56% of Afghans has been applied only up to 35%. The Ministry of Water and Energy failed in their plans.”
The research has been conducted by interviewing people and government officials.
Officials in IWA said that there were major issues in the sub-stations and the water dams adding that the construction of the projects hasn’t been done properly.
The Ministry of Energy and Water, however, rejected the allegations stated through the findings of the Integrity Watch Afghanistan.
Shekib, spokesperson of the MoEW said, “The Ministry of Water and Energy is fully committed to its promises in terms of managing Afghanistan’s water and energy. The work is properly in progress.”
Afghanistan now has the capacity to generate 519 megawatts of power, comprised of 51% thermal and 49% water energy.
Afghanistan yearly imports around 2,000 megawatts of power from the neighboring countries – in 2018 alone, $255 million were spent to buy electricity.
Officials at the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD) say 7,000 incomplete projects of the World Bank are at risk of destruction in Afghanistan. They call on the World Bank to resume the work of these projects.
According to them, discussions have been held with the World Bank about these projects, but there has been no result yet.
“7,000 incomplete projects are being destroyed, and if the work is not started, these projects will be destroyed. We ask the World Bank to resume the work of these projects as soon as possible,” said Noorul Hadi Adel, the spokesperson of MRRD.
Meanwhile, members of the private sector also ask international institutions to resume their work in Afghanistan.
According to the officials of this sector, with the start of these projects, job opportunities will be provided for thousands of people in the country.
“These projects create employment for our people and the country will grow a lot,” said Mirwais Hajizadeh, a member of the private sector.
However, economic experts stated if the work of these projects does not start soon, they will be destroyed and the investments made in them will be wasted.
Ten people have been killed and six others injured by floods in Helmand province in the past week, local officials said on Friday.
According to officials, seven of those were members of the same family, and they were killed in Kajaki district last night.
“Most of the people moved from vulnerable areas to high lands and mountains, and thanks Allah the number of casualties is low,” Sher Mohammad Vahdat, the head of information of the Directorate of Information and Culture in Helmand, said adding rescue teams and security forces have been dispatched to help people.
It is said that the telecommunication system has also been disrupted due to the effect of floods in Kajaki district. Floods have also destroyed thousands of acres of agricultural land.
Roza Otunbayeva, the UN Secretary General’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, met with the Indian Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi and discussed issues related to Afghanistan, it was announced on Thursday.
During the meeting, Otunbayeva thanked India for “its critical humanitarian support and longstanding friendship for the Afghan people” and discussed the importance of regional and international cooperation to address prevailing challenges in Afghanistan, UNAMA said on X.
Jaishankar also said on X that the sides exchanged views on the current situation in Afghanistan.
“Underlined that India has provided wheat, medicines, pesticides and school supplies. Appreciate the role of UN agencies as partners in these endeavors,” he said.
IEA urges World Bank to resume work on 7,000 incomplete projects
Ten people killed by floods in Helmand
Rashid Khan threatens BBL pullout after Australia postpones Afghanistan T20I series
UN envoy meets Indian foreign minister to discuss Afghanistan
Traffic accident leaves one dead, four injured in Herat
ATN secures TV and digital rights to broadcast IPL 2024 in Afghanistan
Blinken meets with Saudi Crown Prince to discuss Gaza
Afghanistan and India play out goalless draw in FIFA World Cup Qualifiers
Dead body of Quran-burner found in Norway
ATN secures rights to produce, broadcast second season of KPL
Tahawol: China’s call for inclusive government in Afghanistan
Saar: UN’s report on poverty in Afghanistan discussed
Tahawol: Russia and Tajikistan hold joint military drills along Afghanistan border
Saar: Anti-corruption efforts & better public services discussed
Tahawol: Abdul Kabir’s recent remarks discussed
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