Build smaller dams, says president

Building large dams without a broad consensus could be detrimental to national integrity, according to Zardari.

ISLAMABAD: Building large dams without a broad consensus could be detrimental to national integrity, according to President Asif Ali Zardari. This was expressed by the president after being given a presentation about small hydel power projects.

He requested the government to concentrate on building a series of uncontroversial small dams throughout the country to exploit the total potential of hydropower production. This, he said, would not only help meet energy requirements but would also reduce dependence on other sources for producing badly needed energy and thus saving foreign reserves for the country.

“The president believes that while efforts to develop a consensus may continue, we should concentrate on building a series of uncontroversial small dams throughout the country. There are a large number of suitable sites in all provinces where small and medium sized dams could be built expeditiously to address both water and power issues,” said Farhatullah Babar, the spokesperson for the president.

The president also advised the government to consider localising the production and distribution of power and facilitate the private sector in setting up small power plants to serve as dedicated power sources to consumers.

The president also directed the departments concerned to gear up their efforts for attracting local as well as international investment.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2010.