Technical Assistance to the Ministry of Public Works

On March 12, 2017, the Ministry of Public Works (MoPW) spokesperson, Mahdi Roohani, addressed the media in a joint press conference with the Ministry of Rural Development (MRRD) and Ministry of Urban Development (MoUD).

As part of his talking points, Mr. Roohani discussed MoPW’s achievements and continued work towards the establishment of the Road Authority, Road Fund & Transport Infrastructure Institute. Mr. Rohani further explained that this reform initiative, funded by USAID and implemented by Amec Foster Wheeler through Technical Assistance to the Ministry of Public Works (TA-MoPW), looked to reform the current outdated MoPW structure as it does not meet the Ministry’s requirements.

As part of the update on the accomplishments of TA-MoPW, Mr. Roohani explained that thorough structural reports for the proposed entities have been prepared and have put forward recommendations that would align MoPW functions and services with international best practices. Mr. Roohani continued by saying that the MoPW are looking to establish the entities based on the recommendations of the report. This is because through the establishment of these three new entities, MoPW will have a modern structure that would address the current needs of Afghanistan since its operational capacity will be enhanced and Afghanistan’s transport infrastructure sector will become self-reliant.

More importantly, Mr. Roohani mentioned that proposed reform has been sent to the High Economic Council for review and approval after which it would then be submitted to the Cabinet.

The 4th TA-MoPW Legal Working Group met on October 17, 2016 to provide comments on the current draft of the Road Authority (RA) Legislation. The TA-MoPW Legal Working Group is comprised of the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development, Ministry of Urban Development, Office of the President, Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation, Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission, Afghanistan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Afghan Builders Association, and State owned Enterprise and Corporations. The group members provided input on the model format for the New Law and deliberated on key aspects and Articles within the updated RA draft Law to establish an autonomous RA.

Once the RA legislation is completed and the President gives his in principal agreement, the law will be submitted to the Ministry of Justice for internal processing.

The RA will be an institution with the mandate to efficiently manage the Afghan road network and to provide road users with a high level of service. The RA will be responsible for the 1) overall development of an effective and safe transport network using technical and financial data for realistic planning; 2) effective and timely delivery of major roads infrastructure development and rehabilitation projects and; 3) cost effective, efficient and accountable management of the allocated road network, utilizing funds from several sources.

Eid Mubarak from The Technical Assistance to the Ministry of Public Works Project!

Big news for Afghanistan! The Iran-Afghanistan rail is expected to boost trade with Iran from $2m a year to $6m!

http://en.mehrnews.com/news/119588/Iran-Afghanistan-rail-corridor-under-construction

Iran-Afghanistan rail corridor under construction TEHRAN, Sep. 08 (MNA) – Iran’s Roads Minister, Akhundi, joined Baligh, Afghanistan's Public Works Minister and Hakimi, Afghanistan's Minister of Finance at the ceremony to start construction of the 3rd segment of rail track connecting the two neighboring countries.

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/chinas-first-cargo-train-to-afghanistan-fuels-one-belt-one-road-obor-engine/article9042851.ece

China’s first cargo train to Afghanistan fuels One Belt One Road (OBOR) engine The first cargo train from China is set to reach Afghanistan on September 9, signalling Beijing’s effort to consolidate ties with Kabul, as part of the One Belt One Road (OBOR) initiative along the an

The second Legal Working Group was held on August 14, 2016 with participation from the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Justice, the Afghan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Transport Sector, and the Office of Administrative Affairs to review the Road Authority draft legislation. The group reviewed the process of creating a stand alone entity capable of executing its own budgetary authority and exercising control of its operations.

The TA-MoPW project would like to wish a very happy and peaceful Eid to all those around the world. May Allah bless you and your loved ones with peace and prosperity.

Properly maintained and constructed roads are a key driver of Afghanistan’s continued economic development and the foundation of the country’s infrastructure.

Today, H.E. Ahmad Zia Massood, the Special Representative of the President for Reforms and Good Governance; representatives from five Afghan ministries (Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Public Works, Ministry of Urban Development, and Ministry of Transportation); The Independent Directorate of Local Government; and the Independent Administrative Reform and Civil Service Commission officially endorsed the creation of three new institutions to manage Afghanistan’s road sector. The proposal, along with an endorsement letter will now be presented to the President for his review and authorization.

“This structural reform will lead the Afghan road sector toward sustainability, in terms of project designing, construction, operation and maintenance and financing,” said H.E Mahmood Baligh, Minister of Public Works.

The Ministry of Public Works, in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)’s Road Sector Sustainability Program, designed a sectoral reform aimed at improving the management, financing, and efficiency of road operations and maintenance.

“This is a major step forward in creating a system to fund and maintain Afghanistan’s roads,” said USAID Mission Director Herbert Smith. “We are happy to partner today with the Ministry of Public Works in this significant achievement.”

Once established, these new institutions: a Road Authority, a Road Fund, and a Transportation Institute, will improve accountability and efficiency of road-user fees in order to better fund and manage road operations and maintenance. Based on international best practices, the objective is to shift road maintenance in Afghanistan from public sector management and financing to a self-supporting commercialized system.

USAID has invested more than $2 billion in the construction and rehabilitation of more than 2,000 kilometers of roads. The new initiative by USAID will ensure sustainability through knowledge building, good management, assured financing, and accountability in the future of the transportation sector in Afghanistan.