LG minister applauds public private partnership in uplift of merged districts

KALAYA: Provincial Minister for Local Government, Rural Development, Elections and Parliamentary Affairs Akbar Ayub Khan on Wednesday applauded the role of public-private partnership in the development of merged districts.

He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of a causeway bridge at Kasha in Upper Orakzai, which was constructed by Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) under the auspices of its European Union (EU)-funded and KFW-financed “Aid to Uprooted People in Pakistan” project.

The mega project of Kasha Causeway was launched on December 30, 2019 at a cost of Rs44.5 million with an objective to ease the inhabitant’s access to the market, educational institutes and health facilities.

The completed 170 ft causeway along with 1200 ft approach road facilitates 7,312 men and women ensuring their safe and easy access to the hospitals, markets, schools and main Shahu road. The local communities had identified the project as their most important need and participated in the project eagerly.

The chairman of the Kasha Development Network explained the plans the community had made for sustaining the infrastructure project through community participation and oversight. Community Elder Maulana Ashraf said that the project may be an infrastructure project for the visitors but for them, it was a life changer event, which fulfilled a dream for them and would have a lasting impact on their lives.

The event was also attended by Member of Provisional Assembly Ghazan Jamal, Deputy Commissioner Khalid Khan, District Police Officer Nisar Khan, Additional Assistant Commissioner Imtiaz Khan, CEO Masood UL Mulk, programme manager Syed Aftab Ahmad and thousands of people from Kasha valley in Upper Orakzai.

The minister said that the work he saw was an excellent example of efficient execution and value for money. “The SRSP has a long history of working in the region and has developed expertise and trust within the communities,” he said, adding, the government would make the best use of the organization’s competencies and experience.

Akbar Ayub Khan said the road from Mishtian to Shahu has also been approved under the ADP with a total cost of 1.7 Billion. He said that a cadet college approved in his previous tenure is in the process of being established in the area. He also said vacancies for tube-well operators will be approved by the provincial government.

The minister said that a programme on the pattern of CDLD would also be initiated in the region to promote grass-root development. He also announced the allocation of Rs50 million as additional funds for the development programme of the MPA.

Akbar Ayub Khan added that elections to the local government had been planned for later in the year. He said the local government system introduced by the PTI government was both politically and financially empowered.

The minister said that the government was committed to the development of the merged districts. He said that Prime Minister Imran Khan won the confidence of the people to usher in a change in the country and end the culture of corruption promoted by previous governments.

Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner Khalid Khan said they had planned to initiate an Integrated Area Development Plan, which would be used for promoting small enterprises and livelihood activities in tourism, agriculture, livestock and mining.

The member KP Assembly from the area informed the audience that the upgradation plan for the local schools will be included in the provincial ADP.

The CEO of SRSP Masood Ul Mulk said that SRSP was asked by the government to tap the potential for self-help among the communities in the then FATA area in 2007. Since then SRSP has mobilised over Rs10 billion resources for the area for its development and humanitarian programmes, he added.

It has developed a good base and trust among the communities in all the districts comprising the merged areas and other national and international organizations have used this outreach to help the communities with different development and humanitarian initiatives.

In Orakzai, SRSP has established 175 community organisations and implemented 123 projects in drinking water, sanitation, roads, bridges, etc to reach over 8,300 households. The CEO thanked European Union for generously funding the programme and KFW for channelising the funds to SRSP.