Subscribe
KABUL, Afghanistan – By opening Mazaar Valley Road, Kunar provincial Gov. Fazlullah Wahidi took the first step in upholding his promise to continue to bring governance to the many valleys of Kunar.
The road connects the more than 40,000 inhabitants of the valley directly to the province’s central highway. It will provide greater ease of transportation to the various nearby economic and population centers and ready access to essential governance and quality-of-life services provided at the Nurgal District Center.
The Mazaar Valley road is a two-mile stretch of double-bituminous surface treatment, a slightly lower grade of paving than asphalt, which represents 18 percent of a $5 million road contract for the Shigal wa Sheltan district.
Recognizing the benefits of the road and the increased cooperation with the Afghan government, the elders had guaranteed the safe passage of government officials and coalition forces, not only for the road opening, but for any follow-on projects as well.
“This day would not have been possible without the support of the elders,” said Rahmatullah Himat, Nurgal district sub governor to those gathered at the district center after the ribbon-cutting ceremony. “The road will bring our people closer together and closer to the government.”
However, as Malawi Mullajan, a Nurgal elder, pointed out, progress cannot stop with the construction of the road. “The road is built,” he said. “Now it is our responsibility to make sure it stays safe so the people of Mazaar Valley can continue to benefit from it.”
U.S. Navy Cmdr. Brian Goss, Kunar PRT commander, viewed the events of the day as a positive trend and an example to the rest of the nation.
“Nurgal has proven how Afghanistan can succeed through the partnership of the elders, security forces and government,” said Goss. “I would like to thank Himat for his leadership and friendship as he leads the people of Nurgal into a brighter future.”
Wahidi, encouraged by the positive results of the day, focused his remarks on the future.
“We want to connect all the valleys of Kunar and bring the people closer together,” Wahidi said. “The benefits of the future are there, and you have the capability to secure them.”
Wahidi promised more development, pledging to bring electricity to 500 families in Nurgal in the near future. He ended his remarks by thanking the Americans for the excellent work they were doing in Kunar.
“We would not have any of this without the support of coalition forces and the American taxpayers, and we are so very thankful,” Wahidi said.
| Date Taken: | 02.02.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 02.02.2011 20:54 |
| Story ID: | 64685 |
| Location: | KABUL, AF |
| Web Views: | 69 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Mazaar Valley Road open in Kunar, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
