KARACHI, Jan 23: The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) would provide a grant of $287,480 to partially fund the feasibility for the proposed 25 MGD desalination plant in water-deficient Karachi.
An agreement to this effect was signed here on Thursday by American Ambassador to Pakistan Ms Nancy Powell, on behalf of the USTDA, Karachi Port Trust Chairman Vice Admiral Ahmad Hayat, on behalf of the grantee, and Samiullah Khan, the President of M/s California Environ Management (CEM) of the USA.
Ambassador Powell described the proposed project, which would be the biggest in Pakistan, as a “very big job” in a city that was deficient in water to the tune of 150 to 170 MGD, because of which productivity had suffered and people were facing health hazards due to lack of safe water.
In all about 20 millions of rupees will be spent on this feasibility which will mainly be supplied by the USTDA and a part will be invested by California Environ Management.
The feasibility is expected to be completed within six months and then the company would commence work of the actual plant. It is estimated that the plant construction and production of water would take 18-24 months.
With a foreign investment of US$60 million, the plant will provide 25 million gallons of clear and hygienic water a day.
Welcoming the US ambassador, the KPT chairman termed the project a “major initiative” that would also result in transfer of water-related technology to Pakistan.
He said the CEM proposal was found attractive also due to the price at which they would distribute water to people.
Ambassador Nancy Powell termed it a “very bold step for Karachi,” and hoped that the USTDA feasibility would be used and adopted by others in the future.
Most of Pakistan’s urban water supply and sewerage works were installed or last upgraded more than 25 years ago, and they are operating above design capacity or have reached the end of the serviceable system life.
This situation, she said, had led the country to face a critical shortage of potable water. Karachi, a port city with a population of about 12 million, and growing at the rate of five per cent a year, faced severe water shortages with no confirmed or identified new sources of water to overcome the present deficit of more than 150 MOD. Many water-related riots had also occurred in the city.
As a result of limited availability of domestic financing, the Government of Pakistan is promoting private-sector participation in the water sector by inviting proposals on a build-own-operate-transfer basis.
The KPT has allocated a 100-acre plot for the construction of a 25 MGD desalination plant. California Environ-Management Inc., a US small company project developer, has received a letter of intent from the KPT to proceed with the project and has teamed with Burns and McDonnell, a Missouri-based firm, to provide engineering services and to act as overall project manager.
The USTDA-funded feasibility study will assess technical, economic and financial feasibility of the construction of the desalination plant to supply potable water to the KPT and the Water and Sanitation Department of the City District Government Karachi for industrial and domestic use.
If implemented, this public-private partnership would be the first desalination plant on this scale in Pakistan.
The USTDA advances economic development and US commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment.
The strategic use by the USTDA of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, the USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from US exports of goods and services.
Water shortage is a worldwide phenomenon. Developing countries are particularly prone to lack of healthy and clean water, and Pakistan is no exception. The city of Karachi needs more than 600 MGD water and runs short of more than 150 million gallons of water every day.
The USTDA, after having discussion on the project with a KPT team and Environ Management, agreed to fund the feasibility study of the project.
This plant would supply water for the entire needs of the Karachi Port and the surplus water would be available for use of the city. The project is first of its kind in Pakistan which will have a direct impact on the social sector as it will provide good quality water of WHO standard, catering to the needs of more than one million people. It would also provide relief to industry where large quantities of water are required for processing. This step would help in arresting several health-related problems caused by water-borne microbes and harmful chemicals.
It was emphasized that the private sector needed to take a lead from this project and do their bit to contribute towards solving the ever-increasing water shortage in the city. Such projects would also reduce the pressure on Indus water, which would then be available for other consumers of the province. This project will open avenues for industry related to water technology.
COAST GUARDS: Earlier, the US ambassador visited the Coast Guard’s headquarters and handed over vehicles and communication equipment to the Director-General of the Pakistan Coast Guards, Brig Choudhry Pervaiz Akhtar, at a ceremony.
The fleet of 63 vehicles included troop carrier trucks, pickups, water tankers and command vehicles. 294 radios were also presented which will help connect Pakistan Coast Guards personnel throughout the coastal area.
It was stated that the vehicles and communication equipment were part of the US Embassy’s 73-million-dollar programme to help Pakistan enhance its border security programme.
The United States will also provide various training opportunities to the Pakistan Coast Guards in coming months.
Ambassador Nancy Powell said Washington recognized the valuable tasks undertaken by the Pakistan Coast Guards in preventing smuggling, stifling drug trans-shipments and reducing illegal entry and departure from the country.
In turn, these efforts deterred terrorists, drug traffickers and other criminal elements who destabilized Pakistan and poisoned its people with drugs, said the US ambassador.
“We know and appreciate that the Pakistan Coast Guards not only perform their tasks well, but they do so under the adverse conditions of extreme weather, a vast and often inhospitable terrain, and limited resources. That is why I am particularly proud to offer our support today,” she remarked further.
The director-general of the Pakistan Coast Guards briefed the US envoy on his organization.
About drugs’ seizure, the DG Coast Guards said todate the organization had seized 132 tons of hashish, seven tons of heroin and 6.5 tons of opium.
The US ambassador reaffirmed her government’s intention to strengthen US- Pakistan partnership in varied spheres, particularly in the social sector, adds APP.
Speaking to women during a visit to a reproductive health care and HIV-AIDS prevention centre in Qayyumabad, she said with a view to helping the people of Pakistan due attention should be paid to the education and health sectors.