The work on fresh water supply system has been started in Keti Bandar under Public Sector Development Program (PSDP) at an estimated cost of rupees seven million. The old supply lines bringing water from Johi Lake were perished and the system had been non-operative for more than a decade.
Aga Khan Planning and Building Services (AKPBS) Program Manager Nawab Ali Khan told newsmen here that the AKPBS, which had prepared feasibility report of the water supply system, would set up filtration units to ensure the supply of clean water.
The project was a part of the series of plans initiate by Senator Nisar A Memon, who is also Central Additional Secretary of the Pakistan Muslim League, which was meant to bring socio-economic improvement in the backward areas of Thatta district, he added.
With his efforts, he said, the AKPBS-Pakistan, United Nations Development Program and Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund had launched various community development projects. Hence, the local community had been involved as major player in the campaign.
Prominent products introduced in Keti Bander and some other isolated localities of the district were solar lamps, 'mohafiz' fed by solar energy, which works as refrigerator, bio-sand filter plants, smoke-free and fuel efficient stoves, small desalination p1arsts, 'faunose' - using wax as fuel is energy conservator, bio-gas plants, composite latrines, surface drainage, plantation, vocationa1 training centres for economic empowerment of the locals including womenfolk.
Keti Bandar, once a port town and strong agriculture base around, had virtually turned into a slum with zero infrastructure. The only living source there was fishing, which also had diminished for various reasons.
Senator Nisar A. Memon during his recent visit distributed solar lamps amongst the poor population of Keti Bandar free of cost. These solar lamps would be charged through a solar panel without any charge. One panel could feed five or six lamps. A lamp, charged for four hours, could be used for 30 hours. This system had beers donated by the AKPBS and is manufactured by Pakistan Lights (Private) Ltd.
The Senator also inaugurated the project of establishing composite latrines in 100 house units in Keti Bander. More than 100 such latrines had already been constructed therein last few months under the same drive. This artificial system would be supported by complete sewerage system.
Addressing the residents, he said not only sewerage system but also other basic facilities including roads network, education and health facilities would be provided to Keti Bandar and other adjoining areas within next 18 months.
He announced that Keti Bandar and Gujo would be transformed as model areas with standard facilities, and promised that he would be making every effort to provide the people of Thatta with all basic facilities guaranteed in the Constitution. The problems of local fishing community there would also be resolved, he added.
Solar-light system, which was initiated by President General Pervez Musharraf and executed by Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz through Alternative Energy Development Board, would be expanded to other areas of the country to ensure the availability of light to every citizen, he said.
He said the President and the Prime Minister had already declared that by the end of 2007, at-least one bulb would be lit in every house unit throughout the country coup1ed with good supply of clean drinking water.
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