May25, 2007 (Badghis) - The Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI), integrate the civilian component of the Spanish "Provincial Reconstruction Team" (PRT) and it is currently constructing almost 100 km of rural roads (Qin-Sabzak, Qin-Sangatesh, Qin-Ab Khamri, Qin - Muqar).
In order to allow for the maintenance of these roads, 30 heavy construction machines (trucks, graders, dozers cranes etc...) will be delivered to the Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development in Qala-i-Naw.
Receiving the heavy machinery, the MRRD Minister, Mohammad Ehsan Zia said, "The Spanish PRT is always working side by side with our ministry. We jointly responded to the last floods in the province - delivered 35 Tns of food, 4 trucks of medicines and different humanitarian aids such as tents and blankets."
Country director of AECI, Mr. Pablo Yuste said, "In order to allow for the maintenance of these roads, not only is this heavy construction machinery being turned over to MRRD, but also a repair-shop will be established allowing the MRRD local staff to repair them by themselves."
AECI, intents to break Badghis's historical isolation and wishes to connect each and every district with the capital by the end of 2010.
The presence of both contingents, civilian and military, responds to the commitment assumed by Spain in the London Conference to the reconstruction of Afghanistan with 150 million Euros in the period 2006-2010.
For further information refer to MRRD website: http://www.mrrd.gov.af or contact Ministry's spokesman, Ajmal Paiman at apn@mrrd.gov.af Mobile: 0700 047 339