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Taliban begin paying salaries to govt employees in Afghanistan

Published

3 years ago

November 20, 2021

Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities said Saturday they had begun paying government employees who had not received a paycheck since the Islamists seized power and triggered a major financial crisis.

Most government employees have yet to return to work and many had not been paid for months even before the Taliban captured power, especially rural workers.

“We are going to start paying salaries from today. We will pay three months’ salaries,” Ahmad Wali Haqmal, spokesman for the finance ministry said at a press conference.

Haqmal said salaries will be paid for the period starting August 23, adding that some government employees will be paid even for the month before the Taliban took power.

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The payment will be made through the country’s banking system which Haqmal said had not been “paralysed” since the fall of the previous government.

“It just needs time to operate normally,” he said.

The government employees will still be unable to access their full salaries.

Since August, Afghanistan’s banking sector has collapsed, and those with money in the bank have struggled to access their funds as branches curtailed withdrawals to $200 to $400 a week.

The financial crunch was aggravated after Washington froze about $10 billion of assets held in its reserve for Kabul and deteriorated further after the World Bank and International Monetary Fund halted Afghanistan’s access to funding.

Foreign donors led by the United States provided more than 75 percent of the public expenditure under Afghanistan’s previous 20-year Washington-backed government.

The rapidly worsening situation has forced Afghans to sell their household goods to raise money for food and other essentials with the local currency crashing and prices skyrocketing.

Meraj Mohammad Meraj, the spokesman for the government’s revenue department, said the authorities were in a position to pay salaries after earning revenues of 26 billion Afghanis (around $277 million) in the past two and half months.

“Only 20 to 25 percent of the economy was operational… Not all sectors are currently operational,” Meraj said at the press conference.

He added that the authorities will introduce a new Islamic tax to fund aid projects for poor people and orphans.

(AFP)

Related Topics:Afghanistan Employees govt Salaries Taliban

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FG okays closure of Independence Bridge in Lagos from Wednesday

Published

15 hours ago

March 17, 2025

Trends Admin

FG okays closure of Independence Bridge in Lagos from Wednesday

By Dada Jackson

The Federal Ministry of Works has informed the motoring public of the closure of the Independence Bridge (Marina bound) in Lagos, commencing on Wednesday, March 19th, 2025.

It said in a statement on Monday that the closure was necessary to facilitate essential maintenance and rehabilitation work on the bridge.

The closure will affect people travelling from the Ahmadu Bello Way & Adeola Odeku Road towards Marina, Eko Bridge and Onikan by Zone 2, according to the statement.

The independence bridge would remain closed until the end of May 2025 for the repairs, it added.

Motorists are therefore advised to plan their journeys accordingly and seek alternative routes, it stated.

“The Federal Ministry of Works apologizes for any inconvenience this closure may cause and appreciates the public’s understanding and cooperation as we strive to ensure the safety and stability of our road infrastructure,” the statement signed by the Federal Controller of Works for Lagos, Engr. (Mrs) O I Kesha, said.

metro

Lagos, MTN Nigeria unveil “My Lagos App”

Published

21 hours ago

March 17, 2025

Trends Admin

Lagos, MTN Nigeria unveil “My Lagos App”

The Lagos State government, in collaboration with MTN Nigeria, has launched the ‘My Lagos App’ aimed at making urban living in the state more seamless and efficient. The app was unveiled at MTN Plaza, Ikoyi, Lagos in a bid to make urban life in the city seamless and easy.

The app is designed to provide a range of features that enhance various activities, promoting economic growth, accountability, transparency, and real-time updates.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Deputy Governor Dr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, highlighted the importance of this digital solution in a rapidly growing city like Lagos. The app serves as a vital link between the government and citizens, promoting accountability, transparency, and real-time updates.

metro

TUC backs NYSC member for criticising Tinubu administration

Published

22 hours ago

March 17, 2025

Trends Admin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Corps member, Ushie Uguamaye

TUC backs NYSC member for criticising Tinubu administration

The Trade Union Congress (TUC) has expressed support for Ushie Uguamaye, a Lagos-based National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) member, who has claimed to have received threats after criticizing President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

TUC President, Festus Osifo, speaking as a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, backed Uguamaye’s stance, suggesting that her comments were born out of frustration. Osifo urged the government to show tolerance toward critics rather than target them.

He emphasized the importance of allowing room for constructive criticism, which is vital for a healthy democracy.

However, Osifo also advised critics to maintain a level of decorum and ensure their critiques are within acceptable norms, promoting respectful dialogue and fostering an atmosphere of mutual respect.

He said, “They (government) have to develop this resilience to understand that people are frustrated, people are hungry, people are tired. So, if they decide to vent, I strongly believe that the government should not personalise it and come after such individuals.