SWABI, Nov 14: Members of welfare jirga and labour leaders have demanded that preference should be given to the affected people of Tarbela Dam and Ghazi Barotha power project in jobs for the fourth extension hydropower project of the dam.

Construction of the extension project will commence shortly as the machinery has started reaching the site.

In their meeting here on Thursday, the participants said that people of the district had suffered property losses for construction of Tarbela Dam and Ghazi Barotha power project.

However, they said that some of the affected people of Swabi district were still waiting for payment of their land compensation amount. They claimed that the construction company had started recruitment process and advised people to submit their applications in the regional office of the company at Ghazi.

Gul Mast Khan, president of Islahi jirga Swabi district, said that people had given fertile lands on nominal rates for construction of Tarbela Dam and Ghazi Barotha hydro project. He said that it was their right to get jobs in the new project of Tarbela.

Shaukat Ali Anjum, provincial president of Pakistan Workers Federation, said that people of the district had already performed duties in construction of Ghazi Barotha project and Tarbela Dam.

“These skilled workers should be hired by the Tarbela Dam construction company, which will benefit both the company and local people,” he said.

He said that there was no need for bringing workers from other areas and the government and company should utilise the services of previous local workers who were familiar with the project work.

Abdul Hakim, district chairman of All Government Employees Coordination Council, also supported the call for giving jobs to the local affected people.