NWFP Governor Owais Ahmad Ghani during a presentation here at Governor House on Friday directed that development work should be initiated in the proposed 'Marble City' in Mohmand Agency, and assured of full security and protection to the consultants and other field workers.
He also directed that foolproof security arrangements on the site of the project and on the approach way should be made. The presentation was also attended by Additional Chief Secretary FATA Habibullah Khan, Chief Executive FDA Muhammad Shahzad Arbab, Secretary to Governor Azmat Hanif, Chairman Pakistan Stone Development Corporation (PASDEC) Ihsanullah Khan and GM Mineral FDA Yaqoob Shah.
The Governor was informed that 300 acres land had been acquired for the Marble City and the project would cost Rs 1136 million, including cost of land, roads and electricity. A number of incentives and facilities would be given to the investors including zero-rated duty on marble and granite machinery, security of title and investment and free allotment of plots over 100 acre area. The Marble City would have a Common Facility and Training Centre, where facilities like cutting, polishing, export packing, etc would be available.
Regarding economic impact, the meeting was told that in the first year of its completion the 'City' would provide 2000 direct and 6000 indirect jobs and the jobs availability would double with each passing year. The Governor described the Marble City a very big achievement, and added that it would benefit the tribesmen on many counts. He desired that the development work should be started forthwith and that he would like to see more work on the ground than on files. He said that allotment of plots should be on the basis of realistic criteria and only genuine requests should be entertained.