JICA calls on the government to take charge of expropriation of private lands where new projects are to be implemented, as part of developing the Kabul Metropolitan Area.
Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) says that that their financial assistance for the construction projects of the Kabul Metropolitan Area will be based on a series of preconditions.
The donors of the projects have warned that if the government does not solve the issue of lands, the implementation of the projects in the Metropolitan Area will be adversely affected.
“Lands should be cleared in a proper manner causing no harm to the people. People should be consulted, since we cannot force them out of their lands. The Afghan government is responsible to deal with those who would be harmed by the implementation of these projects,” said Toshioki Iowma, one of JICA’s officials.
Mr. Iowma added that Japan has previously provided at least USD 5 million for the development of Kabul Metropolitan Area through JICA.
JICA’s fresh USD 14 million aid is allocated for the construction of a 12km road in the area.
Engineer Ghulam Sakhi Hasan Zadah, Executive Head of the Development of the New Kabul City, said that their discussion with the Ministry of Finance in line with acquisition of lands is in the process.
“Lands in the Barik Aab area are owned by the Ministry of Agriculture. There are no private properties in this area. There are 5,000 yards of land in one part of the area that are allocated by the Ministry of Immigration to repatriations. The rest of the lands are owned by the government,” said Mr. Hasan Zadah.
According to the JICA officials, the implementation of the projects would take place in three stages.
Work on the development of the New Kabul City, spread over 250 thousand acres of land in Deh Sabz and Barik Aab areas of Kabul, would be completed in approximately 3 years.
