SWABI: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government is ready to support installation of solar system in those remote areas of the province where Wapda could not supply electricity to the poverty-stricken people.

This was stated by KP Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser at the groundbreaking ceremony of Solar PV Lighting Systems project and inauguration of link road completed at the far-flung Badga village of Gadoon Amazai here on Friday.

Country director of KfW Wolfgang Moellers, Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund chief executive officer Qazi Azmat Isa and local government representatives attended the ceremony.

Co-financed by Germany through KfW both the projects have been implemented by PPAF in partnership with National Rural Support Programme (NRSP).

The participants said that the seven kilometers Badga road was an important link road that connected the village to other villages of Ghani Chathra union council and rest of the country. About 85 per cent of the project cost was borne by PPAF while the community contributed 15 per cent in the form of labour. The project is expected to directly benefit 2,450 residents of Badga village.

The 47 kilowatts solar power system would provide clean energy, generated from solar photovoltaic systems, to the community under Renewable Energy Programme. The project will provide uninterrupted electricity to 50 households of the area in addition to ensuring electricity supply to the girls and boys schools and community centres of the area.

Mr Qaiser said that poverty was the biggest challenge for the country and a strong conviction was needed to overcome this. He lauded the PPAF, KfW and NRSP who came forward for the development of the backward area of Gadoon Amazai mountainous region.

“The solar energy project should be implemented in other far-flung areas too, particularly in the localities where Wapda services are not accessible. The government is willing to help in this regard,” he said.

Wolfgang Moellers said on the occasion that the inauguration showed good example of community work supported by PPAF, NRSP and other partners.

Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2017