FDA to spend Rs 846-mn for 46 projects

Peshawar: Fata Development Authority (FDA) is likely to spend Rs 846 million, during financial year 2008-09, on 46 projects in six different sectors, including small dams, minerals, skill development and industries. The Authority is giving final shape to the annual development program for the coming financial year.

In this connection the NWFP Governor Owais Ahmed Ghani was given a detailed presentation on the proposed allocations under ADP of FDA at the Governor House. Those who attended the presentation were Additional Chief Secretary FATA Habibullah Khan, Chief Executive FDA Muhammad Shahzad Arbab and other officials of FATA Secretariat and FATA Development Authority. The meeting discussed funds allocation for different projects besides the targets and impact of development program on the overall socio-economic uplift of tribal areas.

Giving the presentation, General Manager, FDA Planning, Saleem Khan Mohmand said that the total outlay for the new financial year was 10 percent of the total FATA ADP and 18 percent more than the current year's allocations. Rs 280 million has been allocated for 21 new development schemes whereas funds allocation for 25 ongoing schemes is Rs 566 million, which is 33 percent and 67percent of total development budget, respectively. The highest allocation is Rs 356 million for small dams, followed by Rs 200 million for minerals, Rs 124 million for skill development, and Rs 80 million for industries.

Two projects in the Tourism Development Sector have also been added to the program, including Khyber Steam Safari revival project. Other new projects include provision of safety and other equipment for scientific coal mining, feasibility study, design and establishment of coal fired power generation unit in FATA, feasibility study for use of solar energy in FATA and economic and social feasibility study for townships in FATA.

The Governor said that law and order situation in FATA was returning to normalcy and was very much conducive for execution of development project. He urged the officials of the Authority to fully focus their attention on carrying development process with full vigour and for the entire benefit of the people of FATA. He appreciated the inclusion of coal-fired power generation and solar energy projects in the development program.

He particularly mentioned the projects like Reconstruction Opportunity Zones, Small Dams and Mineral development initiatives, describing these of great importance in the efforts for socio-economic uplift of FATA, which would initiate a new era of progress and prosperity in the tribal areas.