Massoud asks PCs to enhance oversight role

KABUL could become self-sufficient if its political and economic institutions properly worked.

Addressing provincial council members coming all the way from various provinces to attend a conference in Kabul, Massoud said the elected bodies had huge responsibilities towards security, development, education and improving communities’ relations with the government.

He emphasised on an enhanced role for provincial councils to play in overseeing government’s performance in provinces. He said development projects should be carried out based on people’s needs.

He called provincial councils as mini parliaments, saying they should keep keen vigil on the performance of local administrations.

“Until our economic and political agencies don’t work independently and perform their duties in a better way, it will be difficult to meet all the challenges we face. Otherwise, we will always remain dependent on others,” he observed.

In this regard, Massoud said provincial councils could play a major role by identifying causes of challenges in remote areas and sharing them with the government authorities concerned.

He insisted development process needed to be started from villages and remote areas because prosperity of people there would result in the country’s overall stability.

The two-day conference “Better Representation” was attended by council members from Kabul, Logar, Maidan Wardak, Parwan, Kapisa, Panjsher, Bamyan, Daikundi, Farah and Ghor provinces.

Independent Directorate of Local Governance official Abdul Matin Baig said the participants were familiarised with their responsibilities, role in ensuring good governance and sharing information with civil society.

He added efforts were underway to empower provincial councils for the sake of good governance in provinces.

Zuhra Naderi, a Kabul PC member, told Pajhwok Afghan News despite security challenges, they would try to represent people in remote areas in an effective way.

“In order to resolve people’s problems, we need full cooperation from government agencies. We are ready to give them advise on various matters,” she added.

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