Frank Petrella/USAID
USAID Mission Director Dr. Ken Yamashita speaks at the graduation ceremony for on-the-job training program at the Ministry of Energy & Water (MEW) in Kabul.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), today recognized graduates of a five-month on-the-job certificate program at the Ministry of Energy & Water (MEW). The training program develops and strengthens the technical and managerial capacity of the MEW Design & Construction Team.
USAID Afghanistan Mission Director Ken Yamashita and the Minister Of Energy & Water, Mohammad Ismaiel Khan, attended the event.
The importance of on-the-job training courses such as this one was stressed by USAID Mission Director, Ken Yamashita who said that “improved water infrastructure, governance, and management of existing and new services are essential initiatives. Enhancing the technical capacity of Ministry of Energy and Water staff working on water infrastructure is a positive step in that direction.”
“We appreciate USAID’s capacity building program at the Ministry of Energy and Water. Enhancing the capacity of our staff is a big investment to the ministry and Afghanistan,” said Minister Khan.
Afghanistan is not considered a ‘water scarce’ country since its total renewable water resources are well above levels established for water-stressed or water-scarce countries. Nevertheless, careful management of Afghanistan’s water infrastructure and services will result in the more efficient and cost-effective provision of water.
USAID is a proud partner of the Afghan-United States partnership to implement programs that build and develop the Afghan water sector.
Capacity building and on-the-job training are key elements of the support USAID provides to MEW, including support for the effective management of five major irrigation water infrastructure projects. The goal of this training program is to develop and strengthen the technical and managerial capacity of the MEW Design & Construction Team in managing these five projects.
Ongoing training programs and capacity building are leading to a sustainable future, and are at the core of continued American support to Afghan economic growth and infrastructure.
2012 05 20 Press Release MEW Graduates (English)
2012 05 20 Press Release MEW Graduates (Dari)