KARACHI, Aug 1: The Karachi Fish Harbour Authority (KFHA) has decided to execute the development projects for the harbour which had hit snags due to paucity of funds, it is learnt.

Sources said that since the Authority's financial position had improved as a sequel of its recent agreement with the Fishermen Cooperative Society (FCS), it has now decided to implement some of its vital projects which could upgrade the harbour's status.

The delayed projects include reconstruction of a boundary wall around the harbour, construction of shops and cabins for fish cutters, construction of harbour road and establishment of a shrimp peeling complex.

A dispute between the KFHA and FCS which lingered on for years had forced the former to delay the execution of the major projects. Some other projects, like construction of an operation room to monitor movement of people across the harbour and improve its security system, had also remained in pending.

Managing Director of the KFHA Dr Mohammad Nawaz Baloch told Dawn that the settlement of 20-year rent dispute with the FCS had made the Authority financially viable.

On July 26, a 25-year agreement was signed between the two organizations in the presence of Adviser to the Sindh Chief Minister on Fisheries and Livestock Faqir Mohammad Jadam.

A ceremony was held at the harbour to mark the occasion where Abuzar Mariwara of the FCS handed over a cheque of Rs10 million to the KFHA authorities. According to this agreement, the FCS will pay Rs10 million per annum to the KFHA for the facilities, like jetties, markets, offices, etc., made available to it across an area of 24,102 square yards of the harbour.

Mr Baloch said that the agreement would benefit both the organizations as well as the fishermen community. He said that work on revived KFHA projects would begin within a couple of weeks.

After completing formalities, he added, reconstruction of the boundary wall, in dilapidated condition for years, would be started shortly. The KFHA would focus on cleanliness at the harbour to improve its condition as per the international standards with an aim of giving a boost to the country's seafood exports.

He said the security at the harbour was being accorded due priority and for the purpose, a decision had been taken to construct a watch tower. As required by the European Union, he said, work on shrimp peeling complex would also be undertaken soon for which a feasibility report had already been submitted to the Export Promotion Bureau for financial assistance.

However, he added, the project would be executed through the Authority's own resources. Mr Baloch stated that the KFHA also intended to build small-size shops and cabins for fish retailers and cutters to enable them to earn their livelihood in an honourable way.

Presently, a large number of fish retailers and cutters are scattered around the harbour's auction hall and near the main gate. Absence of proper facilities has been creating unhygienic conditions at their places of work. The KFHA MD said that the Authority was also considering a proposal to issue entry passes to the fish cutters, retailers and visitors.