The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will release Rs 3.50 billion to the Sindh government by the end of August for completion of development schemes.
This was informed at a meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah at the Chief Minister’s House on Saturday.
The meeting was held to discuss various development schemes that are being complted with the ADB’s assistance.
ADB Country Director Werner Liepech and deputy country director Nienshen Zhang were also present on the occasion.
“Due to heavy floods last year, the infrastructure including roads, bridges, buildings water supply and drainage were badly affected,” the chief minister said.
He said that the projects under the Small Cities Improvement Programme should be completed at the earliest to facilitate people.
Shah said that the old system of water supply schemes should be renovated and latest technology for drainage projects also be used.
Additional Chief Secretary (Planning and Development) Muhammad Ishaque Lashari said during his briefing that the ADB is assisting in many schemes in the province under the Small Cities Improvement Programme.
He said that 800 kilometres of roads damaged during last year’s heavy floods are being reconstructed in the affected districts.
“Due to heavy floods, the whole irrigation system was damaged by breaches and a project worth $ 405.00 million has been launched for the reconstruction of irrigation schemes,” he added.
“River embankments, canal paths and other parts of the irrigation network are being improved while the problems of coastal areas are being solved by the Sindh Coastal Development Authority,” he said.
The ADB country director assured the participants of the meeting that the bank will support the programmes under the approved project.
The chief minister appreciated the cooperation and coordination of the ADB and said that proper monitoring of projects will be ensured.