LAKKI MARWAT: The government has approved over Rs90 million funds to repair and widen roads along with sewers and construct footpaths in Naurang bazaar.

Also, over Rs 180 million will be spent on the construction of urban roads, pavement of streets and installation of streetlights in Naurang town under the beautification project.

This was disclosed by deputy commissioner Jehangir Azam Wazir during an open kutcheri in Naurang city on Thursday.

The event was held on the special directives of the provincial government to address the people’s problems on their doorstep. DSP Iqbal Mohmand, TMO Almar Khan, Pesco SDO Imranullah Khan and officials of the relevant department were in attendance.

Mr Wazir said the government was committed to developing backward areas to bring them on a par with developed areas of the province. The residents complained that they’re subjected to prolonged power and gas outages despite the regular payment of utility bills.

A Pesco official insisted that the illegal use of hooks to get electricity and power theft caused huge losses to the company. He also said many residents had defaulted on the payment of millions of rupees worth of electricity payments.

The deputy commissioner asked the residents to help the Pesco eliminate illegal power hooks and recover arrears from defaulters. He said successful action against power thieves and defaulters would reduce power loadshedding and improve voltage.

Mr Wazir also said the administration would contact the relevant authorities for bringing an end to gas outages and low gas pressure.

The residents demanded clerical posts for the newly-established offices of male and female sub-divisional education offices. They also called for a police crackdown on drug barons, loan sharks and streets criminals.

An elder asked the deputy commissioner police to order the establishment of dispute resolution councils at police station level. He also demanded funds for the establishment of a slaughterhouse and construction of a proper place to offer funeral prayers.

Mr Wazir also addressed an open kutcheri in Shakh Quli Khan area, where rural residents complained about dilapidated roads, damaged water pipelines, lack of health facilities and encroachments.

They demanded the construction of additional classrooms and examination hall in the village’s only high school for boys. The deputy commissioner issued orders for the early resolution of those issues.

Published in Dawn, January 17th, 2020