LAHORE: The Asian Development Bank (ADB) will provide $300 million to upgrade infrastructure and present civic facilities in four cities of Punjab. The provincial government would contribute $50 million to the same programme.
Senior Punjab Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has directed the Local Government and Community Development Department to ensure the transparent use of funds and observe all rules and regulations in this regard.
Under this programme, the cities of Sargodha, Muzafar Garh, Rahim Yar Khan and Bahawalpur would benefit and this is the second phase of the Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Programme. In the first phase, civic facilities in Sialkot and Sahiwal cities were upgraded.
Aleem said that in the past, such funds were plundered with bogus companies. However, now the government would ensure that each and every penny is being utilised meticulously. He said sustainable steps should be taken for the uplift of civic facilities and it should also be ensured that there is no wastage. The senior minister said international donor agencies are relying on the present leadership of Pakistan.
Punjab Cities Improvement Investment Programme includes the provision of water supply, sewerage facilities, solid waste management and other civic amenities. A workshop also took place under the same program. It was addressed by Urban Development Specialist Gordon Smith, Project Manager Cities Development Initiative Asia Brian Capati, Project Director Romain Vivant, Team Leader Urban Resilience Specialist Asim Manji, Deputy Team Leader and Urban Development Specialist Nadeem Khurseed, Project Coordinator Mujeeb ur Rehman Khan and Capacity Development Specialist Dina Khan. They highlighted the aims and objectives of the programme in the four cities of Punjab.
Program Director Qaiser Saleem lauded the efforts of the Asian Development Bank for the improvement of infrastructure. He said steps had already been taken in Sargodha and other cities of South Punjab under the Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Programme. He added more workshops would be held on November 15 and 16 in Bahawalpur.