US Govt provides $175m for Waziristan development

PESHAWAR: The US government is providing 176 million dollars for development of South Waziristan Agency including major infrastructure projects besides supporting health, education, governance and livelihoods programmes.

The rehabilitation and construction program was implemented by FATA Secretariat through Frontier Work Organization, said a press release of USAID here on Thursday.

Moreover, Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA) and other local agencies were involved to build roads, develop water infrastructure and improve power systems in South Waziristan Agency.

The US government also supported construction of Gomal Zam multipurpose dam and irrigation system that will provide 17.4 MW of power and 91 million KWh/year of electricity to the national grid.

Likewise, The United States government was also testing the feasibility of Gomal Zam irrigation system that will irrigate 191,062 acres of land, benefiting an estimated 150,000 people in South Waziristan, Tank and D.I Khan

It was also assisting construction of 110 kilometer road linking Tank to Makin and 105 kilometer Kaur to Wana road. The roads are 58 percent and 41 percent completed respectively. Approximately 60 percent population of the major towns and adjacent villages of South Waziristan will benefit from this support.

Upgradation of Wana Grid station from existing 66KV capacity to 132 KV and rehabilitation of damage village electricity systems was also being supported by the US government.

The support will enhance the capability by 62 percent and ensure uninterrupted power supply and standard voltage in addition the 11 and 33 KV lines that were damaged dui military operations in the region are being rehabilitated.

Another major assistance was extended in construction of Kunwam dam that will enable the conservation of perennial and flood water of Tangi Toi to provide irrigation water to 8000 acres of cultivable land and potable water to the local tribesmen of Barwant plains.