November 16, 2006	Thursday	Shawwal 23, 1427

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PESHAWAR, Nov 15: Treasury and opposition benches in the NWFP Assembly on Wednesday blasted the federal government and donor agencies for delaying reconstruction work in the earthquake affected areas of the NWFP.

Lawmakers were of the view that the Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (ERRA) and other organisations, including UN bodies, had failed to expedite reconstruction process in five quake-hit districts of the province.

They said that hundreds of thousands of quake victims had been forced to spend harsh winter season in tents owing to non-availability of shelter.

Taking part in the debate Yasmin Khalid of the MMA complained about large-scale financial mismanagement and irregularities in the relief operations whereas NGO workers were exploiting destitute people.

In the name of help, she alleged that the equipment provided to the local hospitals in the area had been auctioned without following rules and regulations.

She said that Saudi government had refused to construct 4,000 homes in the quake-hit areas, owing to financial irregularities.

She said that Saudi ambassador had refused to provide assistance for the housing scheme after inspecting two model houses, which were built at a cost of Rs 60,000.

MPA Mazhar Qasim deplored ineffective role of the ERRA and Provincial Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Agency (PERRA) and said that instead of facilitating the victims both organisations had added to the miseries of survivors.

He said Garhi Habibullah in Mansehra district was one of the worst affected town in the region, but not a single road or bridge had been constructed there so far.

He informed the House that despite tall claims the government had failed to start work on new Balakot city proposed at Bekeryal while the bodies concerned had yet to remove debris of the damaged buildings.

In Kaghan valley, he said, the authorities had not restored telephone lines.

Wajeehuz Zaman of PML (Q) proposed abolition of PERRA, saying that it had no contribution in the reconstruction activities. He claimed that in some areas of his district corrupt elements had stolen materials of the damaged government buildings. He suggested to engage National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to recover embezzled money.

Opposition leader Shehzada Gustasip demanded of the government to brief the House on the situation and how far the assembly’s resolutions had been complied with so far.

He also demanded of the federal government to make ERRA answerable to the NWFP Assembly.