Estimates Put Ghazni Construction Cost at $200 Million

To prepare Ghazni for 2013 celebration in which the province will be announced as the capital of Islamic culture and civilisation, $200 million is required, provincial officials said.

A commission lead by First Vice President to estimate how much money is required for construction of cultural heritages and historic sites, found that reconstruction programmes in the province require 200 million dollars, governor Musa Akbarzada told TOLOnews.

Several construction programmes that include streets, dams, airport terminals, are expected to begin this year by Polish government and US provincial reconstruction teams.

"Bala Hessar, which is a key site, will be renovated by Germans," governor Musa Khan said.

Afghan government will completely monitor reconstruction programmes in the province, governor Musa Khan said.

"Representatives of the US government are looking at how we can support Ghazni in this government of Islamic Republic of Afghanistan led effort to put on this celebration," said Jack Diegerti, USAID official said in Kabul. "We are very interested in the progress. Governor Musa Khan has done a fantastic job in organising things to date and to the extent that we are able to provide support and help him accomplish that for the people of Afghanistan. We are prepared to do all that we can."

Earlier provincial government officials had complained that they were not fully aware about reconstruction projects in the province.

Governor Musa Khan called on the Taliban to give up violence and take part to prepare the province for 2013 celebration.

Ghazni province is expected to be named the capital of Islamic civilisation in 2013.