The business community should come forward to provide building material for construction of houses for the survivors of October 8 earthquake. But the supply should be profitless. Earthquake Rehabilitation and Reconstruction Authority (Erra) Director General Brigadier Sher Afgan Niazi stated this on Friday.
Briefing the businessmen and members of the Rawalpindi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), he said that the Erra needed 41 million tonnes cement, 66 tonnes steel, 47 million cft wood, 27 million CGI sheets, 10 million cft sand and 0.5 million cft crush for reconstruction of the earthquake-hit areas of Azad Jammu Kashmir and NWFP.
"I am sure that the business community would cooperate with the Erra for reconstruction of houses for the affected people," he said, adding that the traders should not earn profit from this venture and ensure smooth supply of the material. Brigadier Niazi informed the businessmen that the government had fixed a compensation of Rs 175,000 for a house of 400-sq feet, which is not sufficient for constructing a house if prices remain unchecked.
"We have to keep three things in mind during the reconstruction process, including quality control, price control and availability of building material at every high and low place of the affected areas," he added. He said that the people working in cement and steel sectors should come forward to provide a helping hand in the reconstruction process. The RCCI members showed keen interest in working with the Erra in quake-hit areas. The businessmen assured the Erra that they would make all-out efforts to cooperate with the authority in constructing the houses and other infrastructure in the quake-hit areas.
RCCI President Jalil Ahmed Malik said that the business community of the country always stood united at the time of need and would also provide helping hand to the government in every hour of need.
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