Two Nangarhar districts undergo national-level assessment

Representatives from Afghanistan’s Independent Directorate of Local Governance performed a field assessment at Nangarhar Bati Kot and Kuz Kunar District Centers to implement the District Delivery Program April 23 -27.

The DDP is a national program that involves an IDLG team from Kabul who travel to districts across Afghanistan and discusses local needs with district sub-governors, extension representatives and community leaders, said Ricky Majette, United States Agency for International Development general development officer from Raleigh, N.C.

The purpose of the DDP isn’t necessarily to construct new buildings, but rather to optimize service delivery to the people, said Dr. Mohammad Shafiq, IDLG team lead.

“We want to effectively utilize the resources that are available,” he said.

Bati Kot and Kuz Kunar are the sixth and seventh districts in Nangarhar to undergo the DDP. Majette saidboth districts have unique circumstances which make them particularly receptive to the benefits a program like the DDP offers.

Bati Kot’s outgoing district sub-governor, Hajji Niamatullah Noorzai, has created a 15-year plan outlining his vision for development and growth in Bati Kot. His ambitious strategy includes building the district’s infrastructure, particularly roads and electricity. Then, once a strong economic foundation is established, he plans on attracting investors to create at least five food-production factories in the district, capitalizing on the district’s strong agricultural foundation.

As for Kuz Kunar, the local provincial reconstruction team has assisted them in their preparation for their DDP since early January, said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Michael Anderson, Nangarhar PRT commander from Dallas.

“Kuz Kunar has many of the elements that we want to empower, many of the elements that we want to encourage among other districts,” Anderson said. “It has a strong (District Development Assembly) under a respected leader, a district sub-governor who’s willing to work and get out of his office and meet with constituents, and the right level of engagement between the people and the government.”

Even considering the two districts’ advanced capabilities, they still face problems.

Security issues in Bati Kot are the main concern driving down economic growth, Noorzai said.

“Security is a very big problem for us,” he said. “Most of the residents in this part of Afghanistan go to other countries to start businesses or find job opportunities.”

The main issue facing Kuz Kunar is the lack of improved roads, said outgoing Sub-Gov. Hajji Abdul Qayum. Beyond that, the district mainly needs renovation of old structures to effectively meet the needs of the people.

While still a relatively new process, the DDP is already producing benefits for the people of Afghanistan and connecting them to their government, said Majette.

“The DDP is working, and hopefully other districts are paying attention and want to be a part of such a process,” Majetter said.

“People will trust the government more than they used to because of the DDP,” said Qayum. “Before, there was corruption. Now, there’s order.”

Hajji Niamatullah Noorzai, Bati Kot's outgoing district sub-governor, left, and Dr. Mohammad Shafiq, Independent Directorate of Local Governance District Delivery Program team lead, right, discuss the district's strategic goals during their DDP field assessment at the district center April 25.

Government officials and tribal elders gather at the Bati Kot District Center, Afghanistan, April 25 to discuss their District Delivery Program assessment.

A Kuz Kunar elder voices his concerns with Dr. Mohammad Shafiq, Independent Directorate of Local Governance District Delivery Program team lead, center, and Mohammad Naim, Kuz Kunar's Ministry of Rural Rehabilitation and Development extension representative, right, during the district's DDP field assessment April 27.