Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has directed the authorities of Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) Relief & Rehabilitation Department and district administration of Thatta, Sujjawal and Karachi to expedite the relief and rehabilitation activities for Arabian Sea high tide affected people and provide them food, water, tents and medical facilities.
He also directed the Deputy Commissioners of all the districts to remain vigilant and strengthen and equip the District Disaster Management Authorities (DDMAs) for which provincial government has earmarked Rs. 20 million for each district of the province, while presiding over a high level meeting to review the progress on relief & rehabilitation activities in sea high tide affected areas of district Thatta and Karachi.
The Provincial Minister for Revenue, Relief & Rehabilitation Makhdoom Jameel Zaman, MPA Syed Owais Muzzafar, Chief Secretary Sindh Sajjad Saleem Hotiyana, Senior Member Board of Revenue Malik Israr, Secretary to CM Alamdin Bullo, Secretary Irrigation Babar Effendi, Commissioner Karachi Shaoib Siddiqi, Commissioner Hyderabad Jamal Mustafa Syed, DG PDMA Salman Shah, DCs of Thatta & Sujjawal attended the meeting.
Chief Minister Sindh directed the Secretary Finance for immediate release of Rs. 20 million to the Thatta district administration so that relief activities continue without any break and affected people could be provided timely assistance.
He said that he paid a visit of affected areas of district Thatta along with MPA Syed Owais Muzzafar and personally monitored the situation on ground. He added that disasters in coastal areas are natural phenomena but due to the shortage of water downstream Kotri Indus delta has been damaged, Mangroves forest which are natural barrier to reduce the damage of the cyclones, high tides and intrusion of sea into the land are eliminated.
Chief Minister Sindh said that we have approached the Federal Government time and again to release the water downstream Kotri not only to provide the water to the people of downstream but also to save the ecological system through planting mangroves plants and added that we will again raise this issue at all forums.
Chief Minister Sindh appreciated the timely efforts and measures of lining departments to provide immediate relief to the people residing near the coastal areas during high sea tides in Thatta. He said that rescue workers, doctors, medicines and mobile teams were visible. He said that Reverse Osmosis (RO) plant was functional at Katibandar, adding that Government of Sindh has planned to install more solar power based RO plants in the district so that people could be provided safe drinking water.
Chief Minister Sindh said that besides meeting the emergent situation on short term basis, long term planning is also necessary for which government of Sindh is pondering over many proposals to coop with the high sea tides and cyclones in better manner in future. He said that a high rise coastal highway leading from coastal areas of Thatta to Indian border is also necessary to reduce the damage of the high sea tides in the adjacent coastal areas CM Sindh also said that we will materialized the dream of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto for the revival of Ketibandar Project, which she announced in her second Government. Besides we are planning to establish a separate department to deal with the affairs of coastal areas. Chief Minister Sindh further directed the concerned district administration and Irrigation for strengthening the present infrastructure of embankments and dykes to block the intrusion of sea tides and lower the damages for which required machinery including excavators be made available at dykes.
Referring to the weak and damaged bridge connecting, Thatta and Sujjawal cities, Chief Minister Sindh informed the meeting that this bridge will be replaced with a new bridge to facilitate the large no of people travelling through this bridge.
CM Sindh also lauded the performance of Irrigation department for ensuring water supply to the tail-end growers which was not possible during last 40 years. Provincial Minister for Relief & Rehabilitation Makhdoom Jameel Zaman suggested in the meeting to nominate a focal person at each divisional or district level to have better coordination among all the departments during any disaster. He added that PDMA is doing its best with available resources to the face disasters, adding that NDMA has been approached to provide and assist the PDMA to enhance the its capacity. MPA Syed Owais Muzzafar expressing his gratitude to Chief Minister Sindh for timely assistance and visit of Thatta said that Ex-President Asif Ali Zardari and Chairman PPP Bilawal Bhutto Zardari were taking keen interest for the development and uplift of the coastal areas.
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: The Chief Minister Sindh Syed Qaim Ali Shah has welcomed to the interest offer of Chinese Company The Harbin Electric International for establishment of 660 MW Coal Based Power plant at Thar Coal field Block -4.
The cost of this Project is estimated 2.5 billion US dollars. The Company has also applied for the award of exploration license in the response of advertisement made by the Sindh Government during the month of February 2014.
Talking the delegation of the Company which called on him at CM House last evening CM Sindh said that Government is deeply interested in the generation of Coal based energy to meet with energy crises. He said that china is best friend of Pakistan and many other companies are working here for the development of other sectors as well.
He assured the Company for all facilities and incentives provided they are qualifying for the project. The Chief Minister Sindh however asked the participating delegates to complete the Project within shortest period if awarded to them.
The representatives of Chinese Company HET, said that they to try their best to complete the Project with 42 to 45 month after financial close. They said that their companies have expertise in this field and they are very much interested in this project.
The Advisor to CM Syed Murad Ali Shah, Secretary Energy Agha Wasif Abbas on other officials of board of investments Provincial department was present during the meeting.
CHIEF SECRETARY & OWAIS MUZAFAR VISITS KETTI BANDER AND GHARO THATTA
Sameer Nazir
KARACHI: Sindh Chief Secretary Sajjad Saleem Hotiana has imposed “red alert” over all administrative and attached departments, under the administrative control of Sindh Government, in view of the recent weather, ocean based situation, and monsoon -2014.
Visiting the affected areas of Ketti Bander and Gharo, in Thatta District last night, the Chief Secretary asked the PDMA (Provincial Disaster Management Authority) and Relief Department, of BOR (Board of Revenue) to leave no stone in facilitating the Thatta and Badin including all vicinities.
Accompanied by the Member Provincial Assembly Syed Owais Muzaffar, the Chief Secretary freely mixed up with the affectees, as a gesture of good will and courtesy. He also helped the needy people by providing cash personally and pledged to re-visit these areas within a week.
Syed Owais Muzaffar also met with other affectees and ensured their proper rehabilitation, in due course. On the way Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah, was also welcomed by Chief Secretary and informed the Chief Minister about relief activities. The Chief Minister announced Rs.20.00 million assistance for the affectees of Ketti Bander and Gharo.
Meanwhile, Sajjad Saleem Hotina, advised the Secretaries of Finance, Health, Irrigation and Local Government to remain in close coordination with PDMA, Relief Department and respective Divisional Commissioners, for acute and systematic continuity by Relief and Rescue Service, the affected areas.