The Ministry of Energy and Water signed contracts with private companies for the reconstruction of two major dams in Afghanistan.

They are the Pul-e-Khumri Dam in Baghlan province in the north and the Dohla Dam in Kandahar province, in the south of the country.

Chief Executive Abdullah Abdullah said at the signing ceremony on Wednesday that the government continues its efforts to work on dam construction projects besides implementing electricity import projects.

“It requires attention from all of us to pay attention to the proper construction of the projects,” Abdullah said.

At the same event, Minister of Energy and Water Ali Ahmad Osmani said the ministry has drafted plans for the safety of the dams, based on which all dams will be assessed.

“The safety of all dams built in previous years will be assessed,” he said.

MPs said the projects will help control the country’s waters.

“Our waters flow to neighbors without any use and in turn, the level of water decreases in the country,” said Khalid Pashtun, an MP.

The Asian Development Bank which helps with the studies on Dohla Dam said the walls of the dam will be raised to eight meters and this will increase the capacity of the dam to 314 million cubic meters from 264 million cubic meters currently.