A Russian company has won the contract for the construction of Machalgho Dam in Paktia province – in the southeast of Afghanistan, the Ministry of and Water said. 

Work on construction of the dam project will kick off within the next one month, the deputy minister of energy and water, Abdul Basir Azimi, said.

He added that the project will be completed in three years. 

Azimi said government will pay the budget for the $23 million USD project which will irrigate more than 2,300 hectares of land, will produce 800 kilowatts of power and meanwhile it will provide drinking water to over 900 families in the province.

“It is a major infrastructure project in Paktia province which was approved by the National Procurement Commission this week on Sunday. The construction of the dam project will kick off within the next one month after the winner company presents the warranty letters and other required documents,” Azimi told TOLOnews.

Work on the dam project was delayed for three years after the contract with a foreign company was cancelled.

Economic affairs analysts said Machalgho Dam is crucial for the southeaster provides and that government should leave no stone unturned to pave the ground for a safe implementation of the project.

“The Machalgho Dam which is located in Paktia province in the southeast of Afghanistan is important for the country for two reasons: first, for agriculture and second for electricity. The delay in the construction of the dam has created many problems for Paktia residents,” said Ahmad Zia Zia, an economic affairs analyst.

Resuming work on construction of Machalgho Dam and connecting Paktia to the national electricity network were among the main promises made by President Ashraf Ghani during his recent visit to the province.