GARDEZ, Afghanistan, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The Afghan Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development has launched 169 essential development projects worth 3.3 million U.S. dollars in eastern Afghanistan's Paktia province.
The projects, which include building bridges, culverts, protective walls, irrigation canals and roads in the Zarmat district of the province, would be implemented with the support of partner agencies, Acting Minister of Rural Rehabilitation and Development Mullah Mohammad Younus Akhundzada said in his opening remarks on Sunday evening.
According to the official, these projects would be completed within six months to benefit more than 27,000 people.
Welcoming the step, the villagers called upon the administration to pay attention to the development of the health sector, education and agriculture sphere in the rural areas.
In an identical step, the administration initiated 66 development projects in the fields of health, education, road and water canals in the western Farah province a couple of days ago.
The Afghan interim government has planned to launch more development and infrastructure projects throughout the poverty-stricken country, focusing on alleviating economic hardships and creating job opportunities for its citizens. ■
