Efforts on to impede dam construction: governor

KABUL (Pajhwok): The Nimroz governor says efforts are being made to prevent the construction of the Kamal Khan hydropower dam in the southwestern province.

President Ashraf Ghani held a video conference with security officials of Helmand and Nimroz provinces on Saturday evening, his office said in a statement.

Governor Syed Wali Sultan informed the president about recent security incidents in the province, especially the attack on Kamal Khan dam security guards.

“The Kamal Khan dam construction is one of Afghanistan’s mega development projects, which will be put into service after 700 years, the enemy is trying to prevent its construction, but fortunately most of their plans have been thwarted,” he added.

According to a Pajhwok Afghan News report, at least six National Public Protection Force (NPPF) personnel guarding the dam were killed by the Taliban.

The statement quoted a presidential spokesman as saying Helmand officials also briefed the president on the security situation in the province.

They said positive changes in the security situation had been seen. The security belt had been strengthened to deal effectively with threats and attacks.

The Taliban had suffered heavy casualties and local authorities were supporting the families affected by recent incidents of insecurity, the officials claimed.

After listening to the officials, President Ghani commended efforts by the security and defence forces stationed in the two provinces.

He said: “You should make more efforts to protect the lives and property of the people and the Kamal Khan dam so that the enemy’s sinister plans are foiled.”

He added the families displaced by recent fighting in Helmand province should be supported and security plans implemented jointly and in a coordinated manner.

sa/mud