Wednesday, November 09, 2016
Kabul (BNA) Mohammad Ashraf Ghani, President of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan following holding of periodical consultative sessions with National Assembly members, met with administrative board of the parliament and a number of senators, his office said in a statement Tuesday.
In the meeting, the president discussed different issues particularly 1396 fiscal year’s budget, according to the agency.
At the outset, thanking the durable cooperation of Meshrano Jirga, President Ghani asked the senators to share their suggestions and views on next year’s budget as a written with him, the statement further said.
In contrary with last years, there are financial facilities this year and the ministries should avail the opportunity and offer effective services, President Ghani said, the statement added.
The president clarified that reforms in procurements has been accelerated and there is enough money to all ministries, therefore, the ministers should not make any excuse on money anymore, the statement continued. The president added that we should admit that the ministries are not capable to sensibly spend their budget.
15 percent of our countrymen go to sleep with hungry stomach, 37 to 65 percent of people don’t have food safety, therefore, in such a situation if the budget is not sensibly spent, it not only shows incapability but is a sin, the president said.
A number of ministries are busy in construction affairs, instead to carry out their main responsibilities, the president said adding an administrative unit under the supervision of the ministry of urban development should be established to monitor the government buildings construction affairs.
To sensibly spend budget and offer effective services to people, fundamental reforms are needed to be implemented in the government administrations, the president said, he also asked the senators to support the government reforms process.
The president also pointed out that over the last two months, hundreds of thousands of the Afghan refugees returned home who need jobs and other services, thus, in next year’s budget, some amount of money will be allocated to refugees, displaced people and Kochis.
To develop 20 border provinces is vital to us, therefore to achieve this goal, we have to ensure economic unity besides national and Islamic unity in the country, the President said.
Attraction of private investments worth $2.1 bln shows the investor’s trust in future of Afghanistan, President Ghani said, adding $ 800mln will be spent on power section and also asked the senators to encourage the Afghan investors to invest in different sections.
In the meeting, Fazel Hadi Muslimyar said that after the budget approval, a number of projects will be practiced in the provinces, but unfortunately, a number of lawmakers use the projects in their own interest, adding the national budget and projects are the people right and they should not be used in someone’s interest.
On 1396 fiscal year’s budget, Muslimyar said that beside Wolesi Jirga and the ministry of finance, Meshrano Jirga would also share consultative views with the president office.
