70 rural developmental projects completed in Paktia

Kabul: Some 70 rural development and reconstruction projects have been completed in the southeastern Paktia province, said officials. These projects have been completed in Gardez, Showak, Syed Karam and Zurmat districts.

Engineer Tahir Shafaq, head of the rural rehabilitation and development department in Paktia, said these 70 projects were completed in 42 days providing job for 5,658 people and benefiting 35,000 residents.

These projects included reconstruction of 20 small roads and 50 water canals. Twenty-five projects were implemented in the provincial capital Gardez, 14 in Syed Karam, 19 in Showak and 12 in Zurmat districts, said Shafaq. Totally, 85 kilometers of road has been paved and 148 kilometers water canals have been cleared, added Shafaq.

Shafaq added that these projects were implemented under the Food for Work program with sponsorship of the National Solidarity Program of the Ministry of Rural Rehabiliatation and Development. Some 300 tons of foodstuffs, mainly wheat and cooking oil, were distributed to these laborers. The workers have appreciated the Work for Food program.

Khal Muhammad, a resident of Ibrahimkhel village, said these projects provided a good source of income and easy work for them. Abdul Rahman, a resident of Zurmat district, appreciating these projects said such development works should be expanded to all areas.