Improving municipal government the focus of UN-backed event in Paktya

23 Aug 2016

Improving municipal government the focus of UN-backed event in Paktya

GARDEZ - More effective coordination with civil society groups will lead to better municipal government in Paktya, said participants at an event backed by the UN in the southeastern province.

The event, organized by the regional office of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) in collaboration with the Gardez Municipality Department, drew some 30 participants, including 10 women, from government offices, the private sector and the media.

The meeting was designed to strengthen municipal governance by promoting public understanding of the government’s duties and responsibilities and by discussing areas of cooperation among the concerned residents in the area.

Mohammadullah Kamal, a civil society representative, said it was the first event of its kind, enabling the participants to get a better understanding of the Gardez municipality’s operations and express their opinions about ways to improve local-level governance.

Gardez is the capital of Paktya, a mostly rural and mountainous province that borders the Pakistani-ruled tribal areas of North Waziristan, Bannu and Kurram Agency.

Acknowledging the role civil society groups play in the community, Gardez Mayor Asmatullah Khalid said civil society is important in providing ideas to improve services and revenues. He called on civil society groups to support municipal governance by raising public awareness about the role, mandate and responsibilities of the various local departments.

Civil society participants urged the government representatives to make the city’s master plan a public document to avoid unplanned construction and city expansion, as well as to distribute an informative brochure on the municipality’s mandate, operations and procedures.

Maroof Afghan, another participant, said people hesitate to pay taxes because they don’t have a good understanding about what taxes fund. He said the municipality should develop an inclusive plan that reflects people’s wishes and requirements.

In response, Mayor Khalid pledged to initiate consultative meetings with representatives from the community on municipal development planning and budgeting.

The event was widely covered by local media and was also reported by Kabul-based national media. As part of the overall plans to help foster better cooperation and coordination between civil society and local government, two radio roundtable discussions are scheduled to be broadcast on local FM stations in Paktya, with interview panel members drawn from the event’s participants.

UNAMA is mandated to support the Afghan Government and the people of Afghanistan as a political mission that provides good offices; promotes coherent development support by the international community; supports the process of peace and reconciliation; monitors and promotes human rights and the protection of civilians in armed conflict; promotes good governance; and encourages regional cooperation.