22-megawatts Jabban hydropower: project to generate electricity by March 2013, says chairman Wapda

The 22 MW-Jabban Hydropower Project, located in Malakand Division of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, will start electricity generation by March 2013. This was stated by the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) Chairman Syed Raghib Abbas Shah during a meeting with a delegation of AFD - the French Development Agency - headed by the Country Director Nicolas Fornage here at Wapda House on Wednesday.
Speaking on the occasion, the Wapda Chairman said that Wapda is committed to optimum utilisation of water and hydropower resources in the country by constructing large, medium and small-sized projects. In addition to utilising local funds, the support by the international financial institutions is also vital for completion of these projects, he added.
The chairman, thanking the AFD for providing 25 million euros for Jabban Hydropower Project, expressed the hope that the mutual co-operation will further enhance for other Wapda projects as well. The matters relating to funding the multi purpose Munda Dam, Harop, Basho and other hydropower projects were also discussed in the meeting.
The AFD Country Director appreciated the efforts made by Wapda in completing the Jabban Hydropower Project despite the law and order situation in the area. He assured that the mutual co-operation between AFD and Wapda will continue for the future projects in water and hydropower sectors.
He said that the AFD in principle agree to launch appraisal mission for providing 10 million Euros for Munda Dam Project and another 2.5 million Euros for capacity building of Wapda. Wapda Member (Power) Muhammad Qasim Khan, Member (Finance) Syed Nazakat Ali Shah, Secretary Muhammad Imtiaz Tajwar and senior officers of Wapda also attend the meeting.