PESHAWAR, Oct 27: The Fata Development Authority (FDA) has recommended the construction of Gandao Small Dam in Ghalanai, Mohmand Agency, to the Central Development Working Party (CDWP) for approval.

An official statement issued here on Thursday said Gandao small dam was purely a drinking water project of FDA for Ghalanai where people had to fetch water from faraway places on mules and other means for domestic use.

It said the project's approval would be a landmark achievement for the people of the drought-hit area due to its great utility and importance.

The statement said the project had been recommended by FDA's board of directors on October 25.

The meeting was chaired by chief executive FDA Shahrukh Arbab and attended by chairman Pakistan Stone Development Company Ihsanullah Khan, private sector member Akbar Khan Mohmand and secretary (planning and development), Fata Secretariat Dr Jamal Naseer.

The board also recommended early completion of Fata Youth Skills Development (institution-based) and 70 Women Skills Development Centres and inclusion of new scheme on the same subject in the ADP-2011-12.

In the same meeting, approval was given to the long-awaited regularisation of the services of all FDA employees and extension in services of two media agencies hired for publicity for year 2011-12.

The board stressed the need for effective promotion of FDA initiatives throughout tribal areas to bring positive changes in their thinking about Pakistani government. It okayed the induction of some officers and granted extension in service to some incumbents.