The project of establishment of Marble City in Mohmand Agency was discussed in a meeting, held at Governor's House here on Wednesday. NWFP Governor Lieutenant General Ali Muhammad Jan Aurakzai (Retd) presided over the meeting while Jehangir Khan Tareen, Federal Minister for Industries, Production and Special Initiatives was also present.
The participants were briefed about the progress in this regard and it was told that a scheme costing Rs 154 million for acquisition of land and construction of the required access roads had been approved by the Board of Directors, Fata Development Authority. The design consultants of National Industrial Parks Development and Management Company would finalise the design for the Marble City by August 15.
Funds for the development of the city would be provided by the federal government that would be received back through sale of developed plots. So far 50 applications for allotment of plots in the proposed Marble City had been received.
As regards cost of land, the meeting reiterated that first 100 plots would be given free and only development charges would be received from the allottees. The meeting was further told that a Common Facility and Training Centre would be established with in the Marble City for which the federal government had provided a grant of Rs 110 million. The centre will have facilities like expensive high quality machinery for marble processing and skill training for marble machinery operations.
The centre will also ensure gender balance through skill training for women. The governor said that the Marble City must have all the modern facilities and civic services, saying that it should be a model city. He further said that proper facilities for the labour force working in the city should also be ensured including proper arrangements for accommodation and other related facilities. The meeting also discussed the issue of Ziarat Marble in detail.