The NWFP Minister for Irrigation and Power, Hafiz Akhtar Ali has said that the provincial government is spending huge amount of money on cleanliness and cementing of canals and other projects in order to enhance agriculture production.
He expressed these views while addressing a foundation stone laying ceremony of Department of Irrigation House here on Monday. Maulana Shujaul Mulk, MNA, Maulana Muhammad Qasim and Executive Engr. Hayatuddin also spoke on the occasion.
The provincial minister said that construction of a modern Irrigation House at a cost of Rs 31 million would connect and bring together all the offices of Irrigation department.
He said that the provincial government is working for strengthening of the canal system in order to boost irrigation sector adding that Rs 217 million has been spent on the repair of canals in Mardan during last year whereas this year Rs 300 million have been earmarked in the budget for this purpose.
In addition to that, he continued that ADP and M&R funds are apart from these funds. He directed officials of the department to complete construction work of Irrigation House Mardan on time.
District Mardan is an impportant agricultural area and has a wide network of canal system operating in it adding that reforms in the canal system introduced in the province has shown positive results and has boosted the sector.
Maulana Hafiz Akhtar Ali asked the MPAs and Nazimeens to keep a vigilant check on the developmental projects to ensure timely completion of up-lift schemes. Earlier, Executive Engineer Irrigation Hayatuddin briefed the minister about the project and said that construction of Irrigation House would be completed in two years time.
Moreover, he went on to say that the Irrigation House would consist of two-storey building and each storey would have 25 rooms. Hayatuddin said that latest building codes have been used for the construction so as to make them earthquake proof adding that project also include construction of residence of Superintendent Engineer, mosque and inspection hut.