USAID/RAMP UP/DAI/Charito Cruspero
Bamyan Mayor Fetrat, Mr. Shafaq, USAID Mission Director Ken Yamashita, and Bamyan Governor Habiba Sorabi cut a ribbon to open the new mosaic sidewalk in Bamyan.
The commercial district in the city of Bamyan has a new look with the completion of a 1.5-kilometer red mosaic sidewalk along its main street. The USAID-funded sidewalk will directly benefit more than 800 shopkeepers and vendors and their families in this historic town, as well as residents who do their daily shopping in the town’s main commercial area.
Leading the ceremony today, USAID Mission Director Ken Yamashita and Bamyan Mayor Husain Fetrat handed over the project to the citizens of Bamyan. The sidewalk is 2.5 meters wide on both sides and extends 1,473 meters along the main road. The citizens of Bamyan selected the sidewalk as a priority project and construction began on March 15, 2011.
Dr. Yamashita said he was pleased to hand over the facility to the
USAID/RAMP UP/DAI/Charlito Cruspero
Bamyan Mayor Fetrat and USAID Mission Director Ken Yamashita unveil a permanent sign to commemorate the new mosaic sidewalk in Bamyan.
municipality of Bamyan and hopes that the improved condition of the commercial area will bring more business to shopkeepers and revenues for the municipality.
USAID is working with the Municipality of Bamyan, through the Regional Afghan Municipalities Program for Urban Populations – East project, to improve the municipality’s governance, service delivery, and revenue generation. Other ongoing infrastructure projects underway in Bamyan include improving 29 sub-roads in the town center, constructing a public latrine, and implementing a garbage collection program. Fifteen stone masonry garbage bins around the town, which are complementary to the garbage collection program, were constructed this year.
Mayor Fetrat thanked USAID for supporting the construction of the sidewalk, which has improved the appearance of the commercial area. He also thanked USAID for the other activities that are currently ongoing, including assistance in improving the capacity of the municipality to provide services to its citizens and helping the municipality stimulate local economic development and increase revenue generation. Fetrat enjoined the shopkeepers in the area to help in keeping the sidewalk in good condition and asked the citizens of Bamyan to do their part in keeping their surroundings clean.
Bamyan Governor Habiba Sarabi, Deputy Governor Mohammad Asif Mubalegh, directors of government line departments, sector representatives, and shopkeepers also attended the ceremony.
2011.11.30 Press Release Bamyan Sidewalk (English)
2011 11 30 Press Release Bamyan Sidewalk (Dari)
2011 11 30 Press Release Bamyan Sidewalk (Pashto)