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Afghanistan

The MRRD Minister Officially Inaugurates the National Employment Program in Laghman

During an official visit to Laghman province, H.E. Eng. Nasir Ahmad Durrani, the Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD), has officially inaugurated the Maintenance Cash Grant Project under the National Solidarity Programme of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD/NSP) in that province.During his trip to Laghman province the Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development was warmly welcomed by the local authorities and people.

Addressing those at the inauguration ceremony of NSP’s Maintenance Cash Grant Project Minister Durrani described the objectives of his trip to Laghman province and said, “Based on the wise instructions of H.E. President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan and cabinet’s demand infrastructure projects especially agriculture and employment projects should be implemented across the country.

This way, under the supervision of provincial governor, the provincial Rural Rehabilitation and Development Director is obliged to evaluate the ongoing projects being implemented by the national programs of the MRRD, address suggestions those raised by local people and take into account projects’ implementation prioritized in the spheres of transportation, agriculture, employment and other sectors.”The MRRD Minister also outlined MRRD’s new policy and plan regarding the realization of Maintenance Cash Grant Project under the National Solidarity Programme of the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development (MRRD/NSP).

He asked the people to enhance their cooperation with the Rural Rehabilitation and Development Directorate in Laghman to support rural development across the province.“A sum of more than AFN 152 million, has been allocated for the MCG Project, initially designed to launch across 293 villages of the provincial capital Mehterlam and Qarghayi district. During the implementation of this project 461 thousand labor days will be created.

The Maintenance Cash Grant (MCG) Project will also provide short-term employment opportunities for 18,459 individuals in the province. Approximately, 53,762 rural households will benefit the facilities of this project.

Under the auspices of National Employment Program for peace, NSP’s Maintenance Cash Grant Project will be implemented in three phases, the first phase of the project is being implemented across 46 districts of 12 provinces including Laghman province. This project aims to create short-term employment opportunities for poor residents of rural communities.” The MRRD Minister added.Addressing at the inauguration ceremony, the provincial governor Abdul Jabar Naimi commended the achievements made so far by the MRRD across Laghman province. The provincial governor termed the implementation of maintenance and protection projects as very important and emphasized on its continuation.

He also asked the MRRD leadership to implement further development projects across Laghman province in the favor of rural communities.Following the inauguration of NSP’s MCG project, Minister Nasir Ahmad Durrani, the Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development has handed over 36 infrastructure projects, already completed through the MRRD/NSP in Laghman province.

The projects were include: irrigation canal 1,838 meters in length, construction of protection walls 2,364-m in length, retaining wall 735-m in length, four water reservoirs, two social centers, pathways 3,343 meters in length, gravelling of more than six-km rural road, extension of 6,997-m water supply network and excavation of 54 safe drinking water wells.

The projects benefitting 6,397 families have been completed at a sum of AFN 47 million and 838 thousand financed by the MRRD. Since its inception in Laghman province, the National Solidarity Program has covered 819 villages and executed 2,826 public utility projects in that province. Approximately, 121,415 rural households have benefited these development projects