A step forward : Municipal Services Programme in city bears fruit

Most projects initiated <br /> in Town-1 have been completed, says project manager .

PESHAWAR: Major projects initiated in the city under the five-year Municipal Services Programme (MSP) are nearing completion.

Speaking to The Express Tribune on Tuesday, MSP Project Manager Niaz Muhammad said the cleaning and de-silting of primary and secondary drains has been completed in 12 union councils of Town-1.

“So far work has taken place in Sikandar Town, Gul Bahar, Shaheen Muslim Town-1, Shaheen Muslin Town-2, Sheikh Junaidabad, among other areas,” he added.

According to the project manager, MSP will also assist the relevant authorities in improving drainage systems in Town-1. “The programme will be extended to 46 union councils and will help ensure the city remains clean,” he added.

Programme structure

Although MSP was introduced by the provincial government in 2011, it has started to bear fruit and is likely to positively impact the lives of citizens.

The programme was designed with the support of USAID in light of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Comprehensive Development Strategy 2010-17 and Millennium Development Goals.



“The estimated budget for the five-year programme in $102.71 million,” Muhammad said. “USAID agreed to contribute $84.75 million of this amount while the K-P government pitched in $12.71 million. “Additional funds worth $5.25 million were received from USAID for equipment and technical support.” After Peshawar, the programme will be extended to DI Khan and Malakand.

Local help

Municipal services based in the city have also played a pivotal role in ensuring the programme is successful.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, MSP Monitoring, Evaluation and Communication Specialist Amjad Hussain said Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) has provided machinery and equipment to manage solid waste.

“They have provided us with mechanical sweepers, containers and at least 156 vehicles,” he said. “Furthermore, WSSP has also allowed us to use the services of their employees if the need arises.”

According to Hussain, WSSP has also repaired tubewells and pipes to assist the MSP’s projects.

“Two blocks of public toilets have also been constructed in Haji Camp Adda in the city,” he said. “At least, Rs735 million have been released by WSSP out of which Rs715 million have been spent on projects in Town-1 area.” MSP Project Director Attaur Rehman told The Express Tribune the programme will help provide safe drinking water and better sanitation.

A pleasing move  

Gulzada Khan, a social activist and resident of Dalazak Road, lauded the initiative, saying it will make the city cleaner and less congested. Gulzada added MSP vehicles are frequently seen disposing waste from the streets.

“Through this programme, old water pipes have been replaced,” he said. “Residents now have access to clean drinking water. This will protect them from various diseases.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 22^nd, 2015.