Afghan Government reaches out to Zormat District

PAKTYA PROVINCE, AFGHANISTAN

05.06.2011

Courtesy Story

Combined Joint Task Force 101

PAKTYA PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Senior provincial government officials, including Gov. Juma Khan Hamdard, convened in Zormat District, Afghanistan, with villagers to discuss security and development, May 3.

“All government officials, the people of Paktya, coalition forces: we are all united,” said Shaista Jan Ahadi, Paktya Provincial Council chief.

Approximately 80 elders from surrounding communities arrived at an Afghan National Civil Order Police compound to listen to the government officials and voice their own concerns.

Of particular importance to participants was education, development and a road project connecting Zormat to Gardez City, the capital in the province.

Hajji Azumallah, a shura member, said it can take an hour to drive one kilometer due to poor road conditions, adding, “some people die before they can reach a clinic in Gardez.”

Hamdard said the road would be paved, vowing to build it himself if need be.

After some voiced concerns about the lack of schools, Abdul Nasir Hecknat, deputy director the Department of Education, announced the donation of 100 classroom-sized tents for distribution to schools that do not yet have permanent buildings.

Hamdard also spoke about teachers’ salaries, many of which have been raised from 5,000 Afghanis per month ($115) to 25,000 ($580) for certified teachers.

Addressing security, Afghan Uniform Police Gen. Ghafar Safi, the provincial police chief for the AUP, asked the local people for more cooperation with their government.

“If people don't support the government, it won't survive,” he said.

He also spoke out against the insurgency and condemned the destruction of school buildings.

“They would like to keep us blind, deaf and uneducated for their vested interests,” he said.

Many of the government speakers thanked coalition forces and non-governmental organizations, but Ahadi warned that the support will someday fade, and Afghans must take responsibility for their own development projects.

“It's like taking care of our own home,” he said.

• Date Taken: 05.06.2011
• Date Posted: 05.05.2011 16:39
• Story ID: 69928
• Location: PAKTYA PROVINCE, AF