The Attorney General’s Office Conducts Second Coordination Meeting of the Internal Budget Committee

The Deputy Attorney General (DAG) for Administrative and Finance Affairs, Wahiduddin Arghon, chaired the Internal Budget Committee meeting held on June 19, 2017.  The Director for Administrative and Finance Affairs, Budget Department staff and Justice Sector Support Program (JSSP) embedded advisors attended the meeting.  This is the second budget committee meeting held during fiscal year 1396 (2017).

Members discussed and exchanged detailed opinions on developing the budget for 2018/2019 after reviewing previous meeting results.

DAG Arghon emphasized accelerating the Attorney General’s Office (AGO) development projects process and stated, “AGO should proceed with the developmental projects’ bidding process through website and various valid gazettes to ensure transparency and quality of work.”

Mr. Arghon explained that as the Procurement Unit is known as an important branch of this department. Hence, employees should study the procurement law carefully and act accordingly.  

DAG Arghon also emphasized coordination with AGO secondary units. He stated, “Coordination and better cooperation in terms of planning development programs with provincial staff can prevent budget reduction.”  

The AGO Director for Administrative and Finance Affairs, Sayed Farid Hassanyar, ensured compliance of the transparency in projects. He stated, “After the bidding process, all of the projects are submitted to companies once we make sure that they are managed according to the standard bidding documents.”

Moreover, AGO Procurement Manager, Khalil-ur-Rahman Rahmani, appreciated the progress of developmental projects in provinces and Kabul districts. He stated, “The Procurement Department completed preliminary work of five provincial projects and they will soon be advertised for the bidding process.”

According to Mr. Rahmani, construction of building projects in five districts of Kabul are in the final stage. Two are completed and will soon be handed over to AGO.

In addition, the Internal Budget Committee discussed a new AGO septic water purification  system. The system will soon be activated in AGO. According to the responsible office, they can purify five thousand square meters of gray water for irrigation purposes.  AGO has communicated with Afghanistan Urban Water Supply and Sewerage Corporation (AUWSSC) to design a Decentralized Wastewater Treatment System (DEWATS). This system will enable AGO to treat its wastewater coming from washrooms and other places where water is used and change the wastewater into a treated water that can be used for watering the gardens of AGO and other places where the water can be used but not for potable purposes. The design for the DEWATS has been completed. Soon the design will be announced through a Request for Proposal. The water treatment system will be funded through development budget by Ministry of Finance. Currently, AGO has septic tanks where all waste water is contained and the waste water tanks are emptied by septic trucks.

The Committee meeting concluded with the JSSP Budget Advisor delivering a detailed presentation on Budget Circular One of fiscal year 2018/2019.