Prime Minister Mr. Imran Khan and the PTI Government has prioritized uplift of electricity infrastructure in the Merged Districts of Former FATA and has allocated record Rs. 7.254 Billion for electricity installations’ Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, News Grids Stations and Village Electrification.
This was revealed during a meeting on matters relating to electricity in the merged district of former Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) under the Chairmanship of Federal Minister for Power, Mr. Omar Ayub Khan. Pir Noor-ul-Haq Qadri, Federal Minister for Religious affairs was also present during meeting. The meeting was attended by Parliamentarians from these Districts, Officials from Tribal Areas Electric Supply Company, Peshawar Electric Supply Company, PEPCO and Power Division.
During the meeting it was apprised that work has already been started on construction of new feeders in various parts of these Districts and contractors have been mobilized. Work on New Grid Station and laying of new transmission lines has also been started and a total of Rs. 3.937 Billion has been earmarked for the activity. It was told that out of Rs. 2 Billion earmarked for Reconstruction and Rehabilitation of electricity installation Rs. 1.4 Billion are already released for work. Similarly out of Rs 1.278 Billion ADP, Rs. 816 million has been released. A total of 440 villages of merged Districts will be electrified with the allocation.
A total of 94 Feeders in the Merged Districts are either to be bifurcated, reconstructed or newly constructed under the allocated fund. These includes 11 feeders in North Waziristan, 10 in Bajour, 14 in Mohmand, 14 in Khyber, 11 in Orakzai, 15 in Kurram and 8 in South Waziristan District.
Federal Minister for Power informed the meeting that Power Division has developed Project Management Software that will keep complete record of all projects. The software will not only ensure transparency but will also help in timely execution and completion of projects contributing toward reduction in cost due to escalation of time.
The Federal Minister while paying gratitude to the Merged Districts Parliamentarians for their commitment to extend their full support in installation of meters in phases in these areas said that Power Division has kept the uplift of these areas at its priority. He said that many projects are specially designed for these areas. He said that Power Division is also planning to introduce AMI metering system instead of conventional meters to ensure compete transparency in the meter reading and payments.
Mr. Omar Ayub Khan directed the TESCO CEO to enforce bio-metric attendance of its officials deputed in these districts to ensure their presence and speedy redressal of complaints.
The Parliamentarians appreciated the Federal Minister for taking the electricity matters of Merged Districts on priority. They agreed in principal to introduce metering for electricity for the consumers in phases in these areas.
The Parliamentarians also threw light on issues specific to their constituencies pertaining to electricity. They also put forth proposals for improving the present system.
The Parliamentarians who attended the meeting included Mr. Sajid Hussain Turi, Mr. Mohsin Dawar, Mr. Gul Zafar Khan, Mr. Gul Dad Khan, Mr. Munir Khan Orakzai, Mr. Ali Wazir , Mr. Muhammad Iqbal Khan and Mr. Abdul Shakoor.
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