F.P. Report
PESHAWAR: The Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has directed the concerned authorities to as soon as possible finalize the ground work for efficient utilization of the fresh assistance offered by JICA.
The Japan International Cooperation Agency has offered assistance and rehabilitation for rural roads of the Province affected by floods, earthquakes and other such calamities.
A delegation of JICA Wednesday called on the Chief Minister, KP Minister for Communication Works Akbar Ayub Khan, Secretary C&W, Chief Economist and high ups of PE&DD were also present.
On a recent agreement NESPAK had been assigned conducting feasibility of different rural roads networks which had done so in Abbottabad and Haripur which report too was discussed on the occasion. JICA has under its assistance program financed the said study. Around two thousand kilo meters (2000KM) rural roads have been proposed for rehabilitation and reconstruction initially of which those largely prioritized (over 600 km) will be taken up for physical work in the upcoming Financial Year.
While the projects will soon be approved from Provincial Development Party and ECNEC, every effort will be made to make it ready for taking up by upcoming June, it was agreed.
Meanwhile, the Chief Minister also directed on this occasion to prepare a case for availing from the Japanese Embassy Counter Value Grant for the purposes of purchasing machinery and equipment for rural hospitals in the Province. So far such funds though available free of any costs has not been utilized, it was revealed on the occasion.
The Chief Minister on this occasion also appreciated JICA contribution to the provision of basic amenities of lives to the people of the Province which he said included the construction of a large number of rural roads, bridges, education institutions and facilities in rural health and basic health centers.
Furthermore The Steering Committee of Dasu Hydro Power Project Wednesday constituted a sub Committee to inform the residents of the area about the benefits of this projects, as well as the uplift and welfare projects ,,the government is taking up for them and also the possibility of more benefits from the government for the would be affected of the project.
The facilities so proposed will on the one hand aimed further benefits of the people of the area and on the other hand motivating them to fully contribute to the timely completion of this project of national importance.
The Committee will comprise both the MNA and MPA from the area, Senior Member Board of Revenue KP, Commission Hazara and Deputy Commissioner Kohistan besides others.
The 13th meeting of the steering Committee of Dasu Hydro Power Project was held here in Islamabad which was co-chaired by the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan while co-presiding with Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda. Chairman WAPDA, Secretary Water Resources, SMBR KP, representatives of KP PE&DD, Planning Commission and World Bank participated besides others.
It was informed at the meeting that the government has given many times compensation than the initially and originally proposed but recently the incumbent government has decided to establish a comprehensive education, health, roads and communication networks so that the area and its people are brought on a par with other parts of the country. These steps it was informed will bring about a revolution in the lives of the people there and enable them take full benefit of the development process.
However, the participants regretted that some self-interested elements were creating suspicions among the people of the area to hamper the development of the country.
Thus, it has been decided that the Committee will recommend to the Prime Minister to provide further facilities and assistance to the people of the area so that they fully support and contribute to this project of national importance.
