THATTA, April 14: A workshop on “Coordination of United Nations, Simplification and Harmonization Initiatives in Thatta” prepared recommendations to improve proficiency and achieve objectives of various United Nations agencies working in the province. The workshop, organized by the World Food Programme, was presided over by UN’s resident coordinator Onder Yucer.

WFP-Pakistan representative German Valdivia, George Sequera of Unesco-Pakistan, a programme officer of the WFP-Sindh, Azeem Khan, Unicef-Sindh representative Rana Syed, the Sindh additional secretary for special education, Abdul Qadir Mangi, DCO Ahmed Bux Narejo and elected representatives of the area attended the workshop.

It finalised the recommendations for annual work plan for the district.

The participants were told that the agencies concerned would jointly work to supply of nutritious, meals, edible oil, renovation of school buildings, provision of water supply, electrification and motivation for enrolment of children in the district.

The workshop was told that 180 government girls primary schools of the district having an enrolment of 15,100 girls were being supplied 684 tons edible oil with a planned budget of US$512.462 under the WFP assistance.

The contribution of Unicef to education project in Thatta will be approximately US$270,000, WFP contribution to education project Rs324 million, UNFPA contribution to education projects for the district will be Rs913,848 for year 2005.

Over all, of 130 schools in Badin, 110 (Dadu), 80 (Tharparkar) and 180 (Thatta), 500 schools adopted by the United Nations will be promoted to model schools.

The workshop was told that 45,000 children in Dadu, Thatta, Badin and Tharparkar would be benefited of edible oil facility as an incentive and the Sindh government will contribute Rs86.233 million on the subject.

Only the children regular in their classes for 20 days will be entitled for facilities.

In the health sector with estimated budget 2005, under the heads capacity building, training facilities, monitoring and supervision, provision of supplies, equipments, medicines and medical services, social mobilization, gender and advocacy WFP US$136,000, UNFPA US$163,620 as well as the Unicef and WHO would contribute.

DCO Ahmed Bux Narejo stressed the need for integral efforts to make the task a success.

A group of NGO workers and some elected representatives while commending the United Nations efforts for the promotion of education and health were highly critical to monitoring and distribution setup of material incentives particularly the edible oil by the WFP.

They said that some greedy officials of education department, implementing partners of the project, were frequently found in selling the oil in markets.

They insisted on improving the monitoring system.

PPP: Activists of the People’s Party Parliamentarians from Thatta left for Lahore to welcome party’s central leader Asif Ali Zardari on April 16.

District President Masood Mustafa Shah led the convoy of dozens of vehicles.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr Shah said loyal party activists were nearing in achieving the mission of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and confident to get materialize their voice for Roti, Kapra and Makan.

Mr Shah said the party leader would follow the arrival of her husband and the days of prosperity of the country and its population were ahead.