PESHAWAR
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Energy and Power Minister Nazir Ahmad Abbasi has ordered an inquiry into delays and alleged negligence in the completion of mini and micro hydel projects in electricity-deprived areas of the province, directing the Energy and Power secretary and the chief executive officer of the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (PEDO) to submit a detailed report within a week.
The minister took notice of public complaints regarding the slow pace of work on some of the projects and warned officials against negligence, saying that the government would take strict action against those found responsible for dereliction of duty or corruption.
“The honeymoon period is over,” Mr Abbasi said, adding that officials failing to perform their duties or found involved in negligence or corruption would face dismissal and action under the law.
He was speaking while chairing a review meeting on ongoing energy projects at the Energy and Power Department. Secretary Energy and Power Nisar Ahmed, PEDO Chief Executive Officer Engr Anwarul Haq and other senior officials attended the meeting.
The meeting was informed that 316 mini and micro hydel projects had been completed under the first phase, while 75 projects had been affected by the devastating floods of 2022.
Officials told the meeting that 58 flood-damaged projects had been rehabilitated, while work on the remaining 17 projects was in progress and was expected to be completed during the second phase of the rehabilitation programme.
The community-based rehabilitation programme has an estimated cost of Rs6 billion and is expected to generate a cumulative 29 megawatts of electricity. Work is also under way on 71 mini and micro hydel projects under the second phase.
The minister sought an explanation from the project director over the slow pace of work and public complaints regarding the projects. He also questioned the alleged loss of around Rs1.5 billion attributed to faulty project designs during the 2022 floods and sought details of those responsible.
Separately, the meeting was informed that 13 solar-powered mini-grid stations in the merged districts were in the final stages of completion and were expected to be inaugurated next month.
The minister said the solar mini-grid stations would provide affordable and environment-friendly electricity to local communities for domestic and commercial use.
Mr Abbasi also directed the department to conduct surveys in Hazara and Malakand divisions to identify new sites for public-welfare energy projects and initiate schemes based on local needs.
