Completion of Gomal, Satpara dam projects: US will provide $66 million

United States Acting Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan, Frank Reggiero, signed two agreements on Friday to provide $66 million for completion of Gomal Zam and Satpara dam projects.
The US Agency for International Development (USAID) Mission Director Andrew Sission, Water and Power Development Authority Chairman Shakil Durrani, and Ministry of Water and Power Secretary Javed Iqbal also signed the agreement. Speaking on the occasion, Frank Reggiero said these dams, which will provide over 35 megawatts of power to nearly 55,000 households in South Waziristan and Skardu, are examples of the United States Government''s commitment to help meet Pakistan''s energy needs.
"Last year''s devastating floods demonstrated the need for flood control infrastructure," said Ruggiero. "These two multipurpose dams will control flood waters, provide electricity, and store water for irrigation and household use for downstream villages."
He said the United States is providing $40 million to help complete the Gomal Zam multipurpose dam in South Waziristan in Fata. The project will provide 17.4 megawatts of electricity to power 25,000 households and mitigate and estimated $2.6 million of potential flood damage annually. The Gomal Zam dam will have the capacity to store enough water to irrigate 191,000 acres of farmland.
He said the United States is also providing $26 million to complete the Satpara multipurpose dam project, located in Skardu in Gilgit-Baltistan. The dam will provide 17.7 megawatts of power to nearly 30,000 households and help alleviate load shedding in Skardu. The water storage capacity will irrigate over 15,000 acres of land and provide 3.1 million gallons per day of potable drinking water after completion of the dam, annual agricultural output is expected to increase more than four-fold, generating about $6 million in additional economic benefit to the community each year.
He said these projects will provide energy solutions and improve the quality of life for people in Fata and Gilgit Baltistan. He added the US government is committed to a long-term partnership with Pakistan and will continue to support projects that benefit the people of Pakistan and bring economic development to these critical areas of the country.
Secretary Ministry of Water and Power Javed Iqbal thanked the US government for its technical and financial support and expressed the hope that with this help Pakistan will be able to overcome its energy crises. He said that Pakistan is facing severe power shortage that caused bad impact on its economic growth. He added US support in these two projects shows its commitment to long-term partnership.