Rs 700 million to be spent on Fata projects

The Fata Development Authority (FDA) would spend Rs 700 million on 32 development projects in different sectors under its jurisdiction. It has prepared its first annual development programme (ADP), which was discussed at a high-level meeting here at Governor's House on Monday. NWFP Governor Lieutenant General Ali Mohammad Jan Aurakzai (Retd) presided over the meeting.
Among others, NWFP Chief Secretary Sahibzada Riaz Noor, Secretary to Governor Azmat Hanif and FDA Chief Executive Muhammad Shahzad Arbab attended the meeting. FDA General Manager (Planning and Development) Salim Khan Mohmand through a presentation highlighted salient features of the development programme, saying that Rs 700 million would be spent on 22 ongoing and 10 new development schemes in different sectors, including mineral, small dams/power, skill development, industries, Research and Development (R&D), physical planning and housing, tourism, and SME financing.
He informed the meeting that sustainable development programme had remained in focu, while drafting the ADP, whereas the projects that were due for completion had been fully funded. He said that six projects would be completed during the current financial year and six others with additional resources.
The highest allocation is of Rs 254 million for small dam and power projects followed by Rs 174.30 million for mineral, and Rs 153.70 million for skill development sectors.
IN SMALL DAMS AND THE POWER SECTOR: Two projects - Danday Small Dam in North Waziristan Agency and Dargai Pal small dam in South Waziristan Agency - are in progress besides two new schemes of Raghagan dam in Bajaur and Gandao dam in Mohmand Agency.
IN THE MINERAL SECTOR: 14 schemes have been identified.
IN THE SKILL DEVELOPMENT SECTOR: Women skill development centers would be established and an existing one in FR Kohat would be upgraded to the Carpet Weaving Centre. Under two separate Fata Youth Skill Development Projects, 605 youth from Fata would be imparted institutionalised training and another 1,000 youth would be trained through internship. Funds to the tune of Rs 50 million have also been allocated for acquisition of land for the Reconstruction Opportunity Zone in Fata.
The governor appreciated the efforts of FDA in preparing an objective development programme and urged that a proper strategy should be worked out to complete the ongoing schemes in minimum possible time so that in future more funds could be allocated for new schemes.
He also laid stress on switching over to modern means and techniques as well as equipment in the mineral sector and identifying the places of historical and cultural importance in order to promote tourism in Fata.
Discussing the issues, the governor directed that the respective political administrations should expedite efforts for resolution of conflicts that were hindering the execution of development projects.