PESHAWAR, Jan 26: NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has said that development of communications network in the province is one of the top priorities of his government.

Speaking at the inauguration ceremony of construction work on five-link roads in Bannu district o Friday, the chief minister said that his government was focusing on developing rural and underdeveloped areas of the province. He said that improved communications network could guarantee fast pace uplift.

Mr Durrani said that the MMA-led provincial government was utilising all available resources for the welfare of the masses.

He said that mega schemes had been launched on equity basis throughout the province.

The link roads project, costing Rs470 million, would be completed with the assistance of the Asian Development Bank, under the NWFP Road Development Sector and Rural Link project in a stipulated period of two years.

Earlier, Project Director Hidayatullah while giving a briefing, said that the 6-km Domail-Jhanda road would cost Rs45 million and would be completed in 18 months; 6-km Company Chowk-Bara Chismai road would be completed with a cost of Rs60 million; 12-km Kotka Omar Khan-Omarzai road would cost Rs77.5 million, 21-km Mundan police station-Wali Noor Janikhel post road to cost Rs210 million; and Ghauriwala Shamsikhel would cost Rs72.226 million.

During his visit to Bannu, the chief minister took notice of soil erosion near Kasho bridge and directed officials concerned to prepare a survey report aimed at controlling further damage and present it to him.

He also ordered construction of protective barriers along the river bridge.

Mr Durrani also announced upgrading a Maktab school to a primary school level.—PPI