KARACHI: Sindh govt recommends port at Keti Bunder
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, April 25: Sindh Chief Minister Arbab Ghulam Rahim in a meeting with a delegation of the World Bank said the Sindh government has recommended the federal government to develop third port in the province at Keti Bunder.
The delegation, led by World Bank Vice President for South Asia Praful Patel, called on him at the Chief Minister’s House on Wednesday.
The chief minister expressed hope that the federal government would soon come out with the scheme of developing new port. He said the Sindh government was implementing the coastal highway scheme which would give boost to the development of coastal areas.
He said the provincial government was spending Rs12 billion for implementation of development and non-development schemes in education sector. Likewise, special attention was being paid to the agriculture, irrigation and health sectors so that provision of basic education and health facilities to common man could be ensured.
Mr Patel said the bank had provided US$50 million for Sindh Education Development Policy and US$550 million for Sindh Water Improvement Programme. He said the World Bank would provide additional US$50 million for Sindh Education Development Policy and US$100 million for Sindh Physical Development.
Recalling the ongoing development schemes, Arbab Rahim said the problem of water shortage had been overcome by streamlining irrigation system. He said efforts were being made to provide electricity to all villages while road network had already been laid.
He said the province, which used to meet its expenditure through overdraft, had enough funds that enabled the government to carry out development schemes.
For the first time in the history of Sindh, he said, the government was spending Rs2 billion on executing schemes in coastal areas from Zero Point District Badin, Keenjhar, District Thatta and Mancher district Dadu and at Karachi Fish Harbour for providing facilities to fishermen.
Later, the chief minister hosted a dinner in honour of the delegation.
WB TEAM: The Vice-President of World Bank South Asia, Praful Patel, and other bank officials visited various localities of the town and inspected the development work being undertaken by Aga Khan Planning and Building Service, Pakistan with the support of Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund.
As part of the Sindh Coastal Area Development Programme, the Aga Khan Planning and Building Service is undertaking an integrated area development for Keti Bunder and surrounding villages.
Under the project, not only infrastructure is being provided for water, sanitation, drainage, solid waste management, lighting, street pavement and playgrounds, but also health and education facilities.
During the visit, Mr Patel said even though the project was still under implementation there was visible change in physical condition of the town as well as public morale, according to a joint press release issued by the World Bank, AKPBS and the PPAF.
He was informed that the people, who had started moving away from the town, had been returning as the health condition in the town was improving and the environment which was once polluted with stagnant water was now clean and healthy. Mr Patel said, “Children are the future of any society and provision of recreational facilities along with the basic amenities like clean drinking water, healthcare, education and sanitation will ensure a vibrant community poised to realize its potential.”
The project is expected to be completed by September and similar projects are being undertaken in many towns and villages of the coastal belt by the Sindh Coastal Area Network.
