The Rs 650 million Nooriabad Industrial Estate water project approved four months ago is still awaiting go-ahead signal, as different provincial line departments continue to dispute the modalities of its implementation. Talking to Business Recorder, Nooriabad Association of Trade and Industry Chairman Fazal Karim Dadbhoy on Tuesday said that delay in the implementation of water project has begun to discourage fresh investment in Nooriabad.
"Nooriabad contributes more than Rs 15 billion in taxes to the national exchequer and yet it is denied proper infrastructure for the advancement of industrial activities," he said. At present, NATI is getting 1.5 million gallons water per day, against its need for 3.5 to 4 mgd. The source of supply is tube-wells, which are in turn dependent on rainfall.
The proposed water supply scheme would have Kinjher Lake as its source. Major portion of the cost of the project would be incurred on laying 35 km supply line from Kinjher to Nooriabad, and a few million rupees on the distribution network within the NATI.
He said that supply of gas has been approved for ten new units. "However, it would be necessary to streamline supply of water and gas so that all future investors could see that availability of two basic ingredients for industrial activity, to begin with, are available."
He said that foreign and local investment in Nooriabad is possible only after drawing a long-term plan for complete capacity utilisation of the land available for setting up units and then running these units to their full capacity.
He said that the government would have to honour its various commitments to accommodate industrialists investing in Nooriabad. "The commitment to declare NATI a tax-free zone for five years never materialised. We pay taxes to the tune of Rs 2 billion which can go up to Rs 5 billion if policies are corrected, and promises fulfilled." Karim said that industrial activities in Nooriabad began in 1999. "In 1999, only 19 units were functioning, and in 2005 more than 49 units are operational. It is a big leap forward."
He said that Nooriabad industrial estate had been planned on 3342 acres for more than 3000 industrial units whereas at present only 49 are operational; 19 are lying idle and are for sale as scrap material; and more than 300 units have been shifted to different cities in Punjab.
He said that law and order situation has improved due to the interest of Sindh Governor Ishratul Ibad Khan and Sind Minister for Industries Adil Siddiqui. The provincial government is promoting industrial activities in Sindh and, to achieve its objectives, the provincial government has assigned priority to maintaining normal law and order situation in all industrial zones. "It is comparatively safer in Nooriabad these days."
He said that Nooriabad has provided jobs to about 5000 skilled and unskilled people who shuttle between Karachi and Nooriabad daily. The local population has been employed in non-technical and support service cadres.
He said those employees coming from Karachi and Hyderabad by public transport pay full fare from Karachi to Hyderabad and vice versa even though they travel only up to Nooriabad--half the distance. "We have brought this grave situation to the knowledge of the officials. Karachi-Hyderabad route should be redefined and fare up to Nooriabad from Karachi, or Hyderabad, should be prescribed by the provincial transport authority. It would save people travelling to Nooriabad from being fleeced by the transporters."
Nooriabad has no hospital to provide emergency treatment to industrial workers. The Sindh Employees Social Security Institution has a dispensary at Nooriabad but it is ill-equipped. "A fully equipped hospital at Nooriabad with MCH services is needed as all emergency cases are either referred to Hyderabad or to Karachi."
The NATI chairman said that at Nooriabad there is only one firefighting vehicle and in times of emergency help from Karachi is sought. "There should be at least one more fire fighting vehicle."
He said that for environmental protection, NATI has been asking the government to set up plant to treat industrial waste but so far no action has been taken. "At present, the situation is under control, but once the industrial waste becomes a problem it would be difficult to deal with it. "We want an early action in this regard," Karim said.
He said that in 1970 Mohammed Hussein Dadabhoy laid down the foundation of Dadabhoy Cement plant and struggled to make Nooriabad an industrial estate. It was in 1982 that Nooriaabad came into being. This location is ideally poised to improve industrial activities and produce exportable goods as Port Qasim and the Karachi port are only 90 minutes drive.
He called upon the provincial and federal governments to review the needs of existing industrial units and create incentives such as better communication networks, uninterrupted supply of electricity, adequate water supply, supply of gas, proper public transport and improved health facilities to industrial worker at NATI.