Iran's New Roads Minister Outlines Plans, Priorities

Mohammad Eslami, the nominee of President Hassan Rouhani to take the helm of the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, has outlined his plans and priorities in heading the ministry at a critical juncture for the country.
Last week, now-former minister, Abbas Akhoundi, said the president finally accepted his resignation at the fourth try and published his resignation letter.
In it, he decried local forces and thought processes that prevented him from implementing his envisioned changes and blocked free market tenets. Shortly afterwards, in an opinion piece, Akhoundi criticized the Rouhani administration for lacking a comprehensive macroeconomic plan.
Eslami has been introduced as Akhoundi's replacement and an imminent vote by lawmakers is expected to determine whether he will head the embattled ministry.
On Saturday, Eslami outlined his mission for the ministry in an interview with IRNA. They include following up on debts owed to contractors, organizing urban and rural areas, updating the comprehensive housing agenda of the government, crisis management, removing ineffective officials, fostering a green economy,