Government apathy: ‘Small dams need of the hour’

PESHAWAR: People from Federally Administrated Tribal Areas (Fata) said the government has done little to provide basic amenities, while elected representatives have not invested funds in projects to alleviate their suffering. Work on Shelman water supply scheme has not even begun despite a lapse of 10 years, though it was inaugurated in 2002 by then governor Iftikhar Hussain Shah. Arshad Ali Afridi said tube wells did not work due to excessive and unscheduled load shedding in Fata. He said the political administration had not implemented any plan to utilise water sources in tribal areas such as Ghar Oba at Ali Masjid, Landi Khana at Landi Kotal and water in Tirah valley.He added that these resources could also be exploited for the production of hydel power. He said the government needs to build small dams, especially in mountainous areas to prevent flash floods and store rainwater in order to protect communities, create electricity and irrigate fields, in addition to raising the water table.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2012.