Da Afghanistan Breshna Sherkat (DABS) officials on Monday said Afghanistan owes $62 million for electricity from neighboring countries.
DABS officials said they have asked UNAMA to provide $90 million to pay the debt, adding that if UNAMA does not provide it they might pressure those people who have not paid their electricity bills, even though many people cannot afford it.
Safiullah Ahmadzai, acting operational director of DABS, said the company has paid the electricity bill for the last two months to the electricity-exporting countries.
Meanwhile, a document obtained by TOLOnews shows that DABS owes over $51 million to four neighboring countries: Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Iran.
“UNAMA contacted us and told us what they can do for us. We requested they provide $90 million to Afghanistan. We asked UNAMA to pay the electricity bill of those customers who have not paid or cannot pay to the neighboring countries,” Ahmadzai said.
According to Ahmadzai, DABS has sent letters to the power-exporting countries asking them to not cut electricity and pledging to pay the debt.
“If the bills are not paid, there is a risk that the neighboring countries will reduce the exported electricity and gradually cut it. DABS should address the problem immediately,” said Amanullah Ghalib, former director of DABS.
A number of residents raised concerns over the bad economic situation in the country said the relevant departments should address the challenges promptly.
“We urge the neighboring countries to provide electricity until our government is recognized,” said Ahmad Reshad, a Kabul resident.
“We urge the private companies, factories and people who have not paid their bills to pay their bills, so our electricity is not cut. Winter is approaching and we are facing serious problems,” said Abdul Khabir, a Kabul resident.
Statistics show that Afghanistan pays around $22 million to $25 million a month to neighboring countries.