SUKKUR, March 13: A huge amount of Rs7 billion have been squandered away on several development schemes which have proved to be of little or no use at all to general public and only served to fill coffers of politically influential and ‘favourite’ contractors and government officers.

A major chunk of Rs7 billion was spent on CC topping, provision of medical facilities and repair of educational institutions which have failed to bring any visible change in people’s lives, according to sources in the city administration.

People were still seen frequenting offices of elected representatives and government departments to get their petty problems resolved.

Federal Minister Syed Khursheed Ahmed Shah who was elected from NA-199 constituency in the city had diverted Rs4 billion and Rs7.6 million funds to the district which were spent on the construction of roads in Pano Akil and Salehpat talukas, CC topping, repair of schools and health facilities as well as physical planning, said the sources.

PPP MNA Noman Islam Shaikh who was parliamentary secretary of the PPP had diverted an amount of Rs1 billion to the district which were spent on the development of parks, gas supply schemes, betterment of water supply and sewerage system, pavement of streets in residential areas and construction of roads.

PPP MPA Dr Nasrullah Baloch who was elected from Sukkur PS-1 received funds of Rs269 million, PPP MPA Haji Anwer Khan Mahar (Sukkur PS-2) got Rs276 million, Jam Saifullah Dharejo (Sukkur PS-3) Rs644 million and Syed Jawed Shah (Sukkur PS-4) received Rs200 million.

All these funds were spent on different development schemes, which had little to do with interests of general public, according to area people.

The construction work under various schemes was still under way but the quality of work which had been completed under these schemes was very inferior.

The elected representatives of the ruling party had gifted their ‘favourites’ with contracts and got many roads built in sparsely populated areas where the roads were of little use.

Several representatives of Muhalla committees of Sukkur and its allied areas including Rohri, Salehpat, Pano Akil, Ali Wahan, Kandhra and others informed journalists when they inspected the development works that the schemes which were much needed and demanded by people were not executed.

They said that many roads had been laid in sparsely populated areas just to please the favourites. If the huge funds were wisely used it would have changed the face of Sukkur district, they said.

The officials concerned, when contacted, did not deny financial wrongdoing on their part under political pressure.