NOWSHERA, April 3: The District Nazim, Pervaz Khattak, has called upon the people to participate in the socio-economic structure of local communities so that overall economic development can take place.

In this connection he thanked Sarhad Rural Support Programme (SRSP) for undertaking various physical infrastructure development scheme, taking up the most urgent needs of the rural communities of Pir Sabaq, Manki Sharif, Ziarat Kaka Sahib and Paharin Katti Khel Union councils of Nowshera.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the project, the Nazim appreciated the efforts of SRSP in bringing the local communities and representatives of the district government to gather drawing parallells between the objectives of SRSP and those of the devolution plan. The District Nazim said both the systems are working for empowering the people to master their own destiny.

He said the approach of SRSP is people-oriented which systematically tried to empower the powerless communities in the decision-making process at grassroots level.

Similarly, the devolution of the government was also people- oriented and tried to bring the neglected segment of the society. He said in a short span of time the SRSP had launched 23 development schemes in various villages of various union councils costing an amount of 6.4 million out of which 20 per cent cost was shared by the local communities.

The contribution by these communities enhances their sense  of ownership of these projects which in turn will contribute towards sustainability  of the schemes. These project  include  12 sanitation, 10 water supply and 01 farm to market roads.