The Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development has said on Tuesday that more than one billion dollar has been invested in the Afghan National Solidarity Programme (NSP).
In the fourth summit of the National Consultancy for Development of Villages, the Ministry officials said that so far, by means of international aid they have been able to plan 70,000 projects; out of which 56,000 projects have been implemented already.
The construction works of a 24,000 km road, a 25,000 kilowatt electricity project and irrigation of more than one million acres of land have been completed, according to the officials.
"We will try to complete all the remaining projects and cover more districts under this programme," Abdul Rahman Ayubi, Executive Director of NSP said.
On the other hand, a number of residents of the insecure provinces criticized the Ministry and said that the projects are being implemented in a haphazard manner.
"Some people don't even know about the National Solidarity Programme," a resident said.
"District Councils have not been formed until now and our people don't know what National Solidarity Programme is?" in-charge of the Development Council of Sang-e-Takht of Daikundi, Mohammad Ibrahim Baik said.
However, officials of the Ministry have called insecurity in some districts as the reason behind the delay in completion of the projects. At the same time, many residents believe that these projects will help in fighting unemployment and insecurity in the country.
"Insecurity is everywhere in the country. Projects are being implemented in one province and not in the other. These projects will provide great job opportunities to the people and they will refrain from doing unlawful activities," a member of the Development Council of Jalriz district, Maidan Wardak Mohammad Baqir said.
The members of the Village Development Councils have been asked to evaluate and provide suggestions for the projects and improve its standard.