EU funded CDLD programme extended to 6 more KP districts

F.P. Report

PESHAWAR: Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pervez Khattak has said that development of backward districts and provision of all basic civic facilities on the pattern of big cities on fast track basis also remain the priority of provincial government. He was addressing launching ceremony of the extension phase of the Community-Driven Local Development (CDLD) Programme at local hotel here. The ceremony was also addressed by EU Ambassador Jean-Francois Cautain, team leader CDLD Brian Fawcett, Secretary Planning & Development Zahir Shah Khan and others who highlighted the people friendly and transparent policies and reforms of the provincial government.

The speakers termed the LG system introduced by KP government as the best and historical one not only in the country but world over. The function besides Senior Minister for Local government Inayatullah, Secretary local government Syed Jamaluddin Shah, District Nazims and senior officers of the concerned 12 districts, was largely attended by EU delegates, LG representatives and people from cross section of life.

EU provided 64 million Euros against the provincial government funding of Rs. 4.7 billion for the first phase and has committed additional funds of 34.4 million Euros while the provincial government has committed Rs. 5.981 billion for the second phase. 1457 developmental projects completed and over 3.7 million people benefitted in the first phase while the second phase will also greatly help in gearing up the pace of development in the newly selected six districts of the province.

The chief minister said CDLD program has been launched in six most backward districts of Malakand division in collaboration with European Union since 2014 to improve road infrastructure and municipal services in all urban and rural areas of these districts that yielded positive results. Hence, he said this programme was being extended to six more districts of the province including Kohistan, Battagram, Torghar, Buner, Haripur and Nowshera to develop the infrastructure and ameliorate lot of common people there.

Pervez Khattak reiterated that the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is committed to its agenda for change and this agenda encompasses the improvement of social, economic and human capital indicators of the province.

The last four years, he said, have seen major reform initiatives in this direction. “Creation of an effective and enabling environment for local governance is a top priority of our Government. Today this province is custodian of the best of local governance systems in Pakistan”, he added.

The Chief Minister said it is heartening that first phase of CDLD Programme was successfully implemented in six districts of Malakand Division and based on that successful implementation the Programme is now extended to six more districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He said the Programme would then cover almost half of the backward areas of the province. For that, he congratulated the local government department, district government officials, and the district governments for playing their role effectively. He also appreciated the contribution of Human Dynamics, as key implementing partner of the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

He directed the local government department, district based officers of all government departments and elected representatives of local governments in the CDLD districts to continue working together and replicate the successful implementation of the first phase of CDLD Programme which has provided a platform for optimal utility, better planning and better implementation.

Later, the Chief Minister gave away shields of commendation to the EU team members, district Nazims, DCs and other officers of districts administration for outstanding performance in making CDLD program a success story.