Speech by the Deputy PM for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, at the Inauguration Ceremony of the Shah Wa Arus Dam
In the name of Allah, the most merciful and compassionate.
Honorable leadership of the Ministry of Water and Energy, Emirate officials, esteemed elders, Mujahideen, representatives of the Iranian company Tabileh Parhoon, members of the media, and distinguished guests:
Peace, mercy, and blessings of Allah be upon you.
It is a matter of great joy that today we are participating in the inauguration ceremony of the Shah Wa Arus Dam in Shakardara District of Kabul Province, marking another significant step toward effective water management.
First and foremost, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the proud and noble people of Afghanistan on the completion of this critical national project.
Dear countrymen,
It is a fact that in some parts of the modern world, the value of water equals that of oil. This indicates that the importance of water is increasing day by day. In contemporary global relations and politics, water is being discussed as a crucial economic factor, and a time will come when in many countries, its value will surpass that of oil and other mineral resources.
However, in Afghanistan's recent history, due to internal and imposed wars and various domestic and external factors, adequate and necessary investments in water management infrastructure have not been made. Consequently, during seasonal rains or climate changes, our country's waters often swell and overflow, destroying the homes of poor Afghans, taking lives, washing away the crops of impoverished farmers, and damaging public and private infrastructure. In contrast, other countries efficiently store and manage their water, using it to build homes, irrigate fields, increase food supplies, generate electricity, and drive economic growth.
Honorable compatriots,
The Shah Wa Arus Dam is a significant step in managing the country’s water resources. under the efforts of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, the remaining work has been completed professionally. All praise to Allah! The dam is now ready for practical use, providing water for drinking, irrigation, and energy production.
The dam has a height of 78 meters and a storage capacity of 9.4 million cubic meters of water. It will irrigate approximately 3,500 hectares of land and generate 1.2 megawatts of energy. This dam will provide a reliable water source for hardworking farmers, play a vital role in the development of the agricultural sector, strengthen individual livelihoods, contribute to the provision of essential energy, and support the overall economic growth of the country.
As mentioned earlier, the Shah Wa Arus Dam is a significant milestone in managing Afghanistan's water resources. However, our country still requires extensive work and investment in this field. Recognizing the increasing need and importance of water in today's world, the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan is making substantial and sustained efforts to manage and harness water resources while adhering to the principles of sustainable development. We are committed to building the necessary infrastructure and taking essential steps in this regard. By the grace of Allah, our determination to fulfill this great national responsibility remains firm.
I urge all our honorable countrymen to shoulder their individual responsibilities alongside the Islamic Emirate in safeguarding this and all other national projects. Never misuse national infrastructure in a way that could lead to its damage or destruction.
Finally, I extend my sincere gratitude to the leadership and technical staff of the Ministry of Water and Energy, the esteemed engineers of this project, and the associated contracting company for diligently fulfilling their responsibilities in completing this significant national project.