Mohammad Ehsan Zia the Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development signed 19 development contracts worth US$1,649,752 with the private companies in Kandahar province.

These project which are designed to provide needed facilities, respond the socio-economic necessities and improve the quality of life in rural communities and include construction of 2 health clinics, construction of 12.5km road, 2 water supply projects, digging of 4 wells, 3 checkdams, 3 retaining walls and construction of a canal. These projects are planned in 8 districts of Arghandab, Panjwaie, Takhtapul, Zherai, Arghistan, Dand, Marouf, Spinboldak and the capital city of Kandahar province.

These projects are implemented through the ministry’s National Area Based Development Programme NABDP and expected to be completed within 45-285 days.

The funding for these projects comes from Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and Belgium Government.

In a press conference following the signing ceremony, H.E. Mohammad Ehsan Zia the Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development said he is happy to note that numerous positive socio-economic changes took place in the life of the people upon the implement of these welfare projects. Also, he added: “The interest and cooperation of local communities and government has enabled us to speed up the development efforts”.

These projects will generate 36442 working days for local residents and upon completion will provide 28858 rural families with needed socio-economic facilities.

It is worth mentioning that with the signing of these development contracts during the10th trip of H.E. Mohammad Ehsan Zia to Kandahar, the total number of development projects for this province has reached 426.