Merged Areas’ development faces no shortage of funds: Briefing
PESHAWAR
The provincial minister for Irrigation Arshad Ayub Khan has said that work is underway on 59 projects of Irrigation department in the merged districts with an estimated cost of Rs44 billion.
He expressed these views during a press briefing held at Itla Cell Civil Secretariat along with Special Assistant for Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif on ongoing projects of irrigation in the merged districts.
Irrigation Minister said that in accordance with the manifesto of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) all possible steps have been taken to achieve the developmental goals of erstwhile Fata.
Arshad Ayub informed that a separate wing of the Chief Engineer merged districts has been set up while the offices of the Executive Engineer in operational in each districts of merged areas.
He said that aim of the establishment of district offices to provide services to the people at their doorsteps – Former FDA Small Dam Section has been linked with Planning Director General Small Dams.
Special Assistant for Information Barrister Muhammad Ali Saif said that development of integrated districts was the top priority of the provincial government, adding that KP and Punjab government contributing to the NFC for the merged districts.
Under the leadership of Chief Minister KP, integrated districts are on the path of development and that there was no shortage of funds for development of integrated districts.
Dams are being constructed to ensure preservation and best use of water.
The Provincial Minister for Irrigation while briefing the media said that a significant portion of NFC has been allocated for the construction and development of integrated districts.
Completion of development works in the merged districts will bring prosperity in the life of the people he added.
In terms of development, 35 schemes worth Rs9 billion were launched under ADP, while 24 projects worth Rs 35 billion were launched under AIP.
These projects include the Jabba Dam worth Rs10 billion which will provide clean drinking water to one million people of Peshawar and Khyber, while the dam will have a storage capacity of 37982 acre feet and will protect the Khyber Valley from floods.
The storage capacity of Bara Dam will be 85000 acre feet which will generate 6 megawatts of electricity and irrigate 41729 acre of land, he added.
Secretary Irrigation Ayaz Khan while giving details said that there is no problem in providing funds for AIP projects whereas there are problems from time to time in ADP projects.
Mr Ayaz claimed that the provincial government has obtained no loans for these projects.
Arshad Ayub Khan further said that work has been started on seven small dams. Warsak Lift Bank Canal Improvement and Construction Project Launched to Provide Irrigation facility to 10000 Acres of Land of Mohmand District, Provision of Irrigation Facility to 44772 Acres of Land of Khyber District Remediation and expansion of Bara River Canal System has been started. Two hundred Chuck Dams and water storage projects have been started to irrigate the integrated districts.
The Provincial Minister for Irrigation said that 475 solar tube well projects have been started to cultivate 12,000 acres of land. In addition, construction and improvement projects of 420 irrigation channels have been initiated to irrigate 25000 acres of land.
Answering the questions of the journalists in the press conference, the Provincial Minister for Irrigation Arshad Ayub said that food securities are associated with irrigation.
