EU, Punjab sanction water agency capacity-building project

Multi-million euro grants aim to enhance service delivery, infrastructure

JARANWALA:

Under the Federal Planning and Development Department, the Central Development Working Party has greenlit a capacity-building project aimed at enhancing the performance of Water and Sanitation Agencies in Faisalabad and Lahore.

The European Union and the Punjab government will provide a grant of 12 million euros and Rs345 million respectively for this initiative.

The European Union has already disbursed funds to AFD to kick-start the project implementation.

Amir Aamir Aziz, the Managing Director of WASA Faisalabad, briefed the media about the project's objectives, which include improving structural designs, enhancing project implementation, instituting governance reforms, upgrading service delivery and regulation, and managing financial affairs more effectively.

During discussions and presentations on the project, Muhammad Jehanzeb Khan, the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission, praised the exemplary services of WASA Faisalabad, labelling it the best water agency in the Punjab province.

Deputy Chairman Khan highlighted WASA Faisalabad's remarkable performance in operating a surface water treatment plant with a capacity of 10 million gallons per day (mgd) to supply water to Faisalabad residents.

He emphasised that such performance is rare among water agencies in Punjab. Regarding the progress of the Eastern wastewater treatment plant, Deputy Chairman Khan emphasized WASA Faisalabad's commitment, in partnership with the Danish International Development Agency (DENIDA), to ensure the success of the project, which will have a discharge capacity of 44 mgd.

Mrs. Bunte Sheller, the Director of DENIDA, recently met with the Deputy Commissioner of Faisalabad to stress the importance of collaboration between WASA and the district administration to make the wastewater project successful.

They discussed how the treated wastewater could mitigate air pollution and benefit farmers by enhancing agricultural productivity.

The Deputy Commissioner assured DENIDA officials of removing any obstacles hindering the project implementation. Documentation for the project has been completed, and WASA is gearing up to commence work on the site soon.

Published in The Express Tribune May 11^th, 2024.