Afghan businesses are taking responsibility for maintaining the country’s newly built roads. On October 27, USAID-partner Louis Berger Group awarded three contracts totaling US$12.6 million to Abtekar Faizi, Samim Wafa and Bacura companies. The new contracts will provide jobs for hundreds of local workers who will maintain 1,500 kilometers of Afghanistan’s new regional and national highways.
This is the second award granted under the Ministry of Public Works’ Operation and Maintenance Program. To ensure the program is effective, USAID trained Ministry officials on better methods for road maintenance, including how to use tools such as laptops, Geographic Positioning Systems (GPS), and mapping techniques. With better skills, the Ministry’s staff will be more efficient making sure that the contractors keep the roads in good condition, providing safe, more cost effective travel for the people of Afghanistan.