Unnecessary delay in the completion of power projects would not be tolerated: Mahmood
our correspondent
PESHAWAR
Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mahmood Khan has directed the concerned authorities to initiate work on 300MW Balakot Hydro Power Project on priority basis.
Presiding over the first-ever meeting of Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization’s Policy Board here on Thursday, the chief minister called for starting energy projects under China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) to make the province self-sufficient in the energy sector.
He stressed the need for timely completion of important ongoing energy projects in the province and directed the quarter concerned to ensure physical progress on the projects as per the given timelines. He made it clear that unnecessary delay in the completion of these projects would not be tolerated adding that in case of any unnecessary delay in the completion of these projects. He warned that strict action would be taken against those responsible for delay in completion of such projects.
He also directed that all priority projects in the energy sector including 300 MW Balakot Hydro Power Project as well as energy projects under the CPEC portfolio should be put on grounds by the end of this year.
The meeting was briefed in detail about the newly constituted policy board of PEDO, new administrative structure of PEDO, proposed mechanism for appointment of the members of the executive committee and other related matters.
The meeting besides approving new organ-gram of Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization under new PEDO ordinance also accorded approval to abolish certain unnecessary administrative slots in the old administrative structure of the organization.
The meeting also approved a mechanism for posting of members of the executive committee and constituted four members committee to be headed by additional chief secretary so that posting on such positions could be ensured without any delay.
Revised annual budget of PEDO along with creation of a new position of secretary for the policy board were also approved by the forum.
Similarly, the forum allowed the PEDO to hire interns under the internship policy of the provincial government with the aim to meet the future requirements of hydel engineers for the mega power projects of the province.
The chief minister on the occasion termed the timely completion of power projects as one of the top priorities of his government and expressed the hope that the newly constituted administrative structure and policy board of PEDO will further improve its overall working capacity which will ensure the timely completion of mega energy projects in the province.
