MAIMANA (Pajhwok): Some residents of the capital of northern Faryab province have demanded of the government to complete a 33-kilometre road project.

Work on the road was kicked off seven years ago, but the project remains unfinished, particularly the drainage systems on both sides of the roads

The project to build 33 kilometres of roads inside Maimana city, the provincial capital, was launched in 2018 with a budget of more than 914 million afghanis but remains incomplete.

The contractor firm says it cannot resume work until its financial claims are paid, while the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) cites technical issues and a shortage of funds as reasons for the suspension of the project.

According to the ministry, more than 50 incomplete projects, including Maimana's road network, were inherited from the previous government.

The nature of contracts and performance of firms are being reviewed and once funds are available, each project will be implemented step by step.

Abdul Rahim Uchqun, local representative of 4^th police district in the provincial capital, told Pajhwok Afghan News that construction work was started on the road seven years ago, but the drainage systems were never completed and they had now turned into dangerous pits.

He said:“The open drains along Maimana city's roads have become a major problem, causing frequent and tragic traffic accidents. Pedestrians, especially children and women, often fall in and get injured.”

He added that the incomplete drains have turned into dumping grounds for rubbish and wastewater, as well as breeding sites for insects.

“Because they were built without proper standards, the dirty water from homes, bathrooms, and hotels has created an unbearable stench in the city,” he said.

He noted that the contractors previously blamed insecurity and the presence of government opposition groups for delays, claiming they were prevented from transporting materials from Herat to Maimana.

“Now that security is ensured, there's no excuse for leaving the project unfinished,” he said.

He alleged that“large investments and luxurious buildings have been made from the funds allocated for the roads” and urged the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan (IEA) to compel the contractors to complete the remaining work and relieve residents of their suffering.

Meanwhile, Khairullah Sufi Zada, a tribal elder, said the contracting firm“Faiz Fazlullah” had left more than 16,000 open manholes across Maimana's roads without metal covers, posing a serious danger to the public.

He said:“The holes are located on both sides of the roads and in front of people's houses. When the electricity goes out at night, pedestrians - mostly children and the elderly - fall into them and get injured. The Maimana hospital has recorded many such cases.”

Sufi Zada urged IEA to settle accounts with the contractors - paying those owed money and ensuring the completion of the remaining work to end people's suffering.

Maimana Mayor Damlah Gul Ahmad Mobasher confirmed residents' complaints, saying the contractor had left the 33-kilometre road project incomplete and had built substandard drains, creating difficulties for both the residents and the municipality.

He added that before the implementation of the project, Maimana was considered one of Afghanistan's cleanest cities, but the unfinished work had turned the drains into garbage sites and insect nests, polluting the environment.

Similarly, Mohammad Qasim Safi, head of municipal services in Maimana, said the drains and parts of the pavements contracted to the“Faiz Fazlullah” company seven years ago remained incomplete. About 16,800 iron grills are still required, each costing over 5,500 afghanis.

He added that the open drains not only cause frequent accidents but also hinder municipal cleaning staff, who struggle to remove waste in time.

Safi urged MoPW to summon the contracting companies and ensure their commitment to completing the remaining work.

Likewise, Faryab Traffic Director Damlah Abdul Jabbar said most traffic accidents in Maimana were caused by unfinished drainage systems without metal covers.

He added that completing the drains and repairing roads would significantly reduce traffic incidents.

Dozens injured after falling into open drains

Dr. Ibrahim Karimi, head of Maimana hospital, confirmed that many residents, including women and children, have been injured over the past seven years after falling into open drains.

He said that in the first six months of this year alone, 50 people - including children, women, and the elderly - were hospitalised after falling into the uncovered channels.

MoPW: Incomplete projects, including Maimana roads, to be completed in phases

Mohammad Ashraf Haqshenas, spokesman for MoPW, told Pajhwok that around 50 incomplete projects, including Maimana's internal roads, were inherited from the previous government. All have been referred to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs for review and evaluation.

He said after assessing the contracts, clearing accounts and paying company debts, work on incomplete projects would resume in phases.

He added that the Maimana roads project is part of the ministry's development plan, but no funds were allocated for it this year.

“If it is included in next year's budget, the remaining work will be completed,” he said.

He explained:“Some companies are still demanding their payments; some did the work but were not paid, and others received money but did not complete their tasks. All projects will resume after reviews and financial settlements.”

Contractor's representative: Work halted due to lack of funds, not company negligence

Sulaiman Chakar, representative of the“Fazlullah” company, said the delays were not due to negligence but to financial shortages and delayed payments from relevant authorities.

He added that the company had repeatedly pledged to the Ministry of Public Works that it would immediately resume and complete the project according to the technical standards once payments were made and financial problems resolved.

Chakar stressed that blaming the company for the delay was unfair, saying it remained fully equipped and ready to continue the work.

“The real issue is the lack of financial resources, which has hindered progress,” he concluded.

kk/ma

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