One step back: Funds withdrawn for pedestrian bridges in city

PESHAWAR:

USAID has decided to withdraw funding for the construction of more pedestrian bridges in the city following differences with the provincial government.

A government official told The Express Tribune on Thursday the aid agency had so far provided financial assistance to construct four bridges on Ring Road and another one on GT Road. The pedestrian bridges have cost the organisation Rs20 million each.

However, disagreements arose when former minister for mines and mineral development Ziaullah Afridi placed an inauguration plate with his name inscribed on it on the bridge built on GT Road.

“USAID officials raised objections to this,” said the official. “They insisted they would not allow their projects to be used for political publicity. USAID maintains it has not put its own name on the pedestrian bridge and will not let anyone else do so.” According to the official, differences between the agency and the provincial government have resulted in the withdrawal of funding for new projects in the city.

Spanner in the works

“A Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf MPA has also objected to the pedestrian bridge built on Ring Road,” he said. “The structure falls within his constituency and he wanted to construct a rotary in the area. He recently requested the Office of Transition Initiative to remove the section of the bridge meant for bikes.” The section was removed this week.

The government official said USAID’s efforts have benefited the public as it has become easier for pedestrians to cross the street on GT Road and Ring Road. “However, there are some PTI MPAs who have created problems for the agency,” he said.

Back to square one?

When contacted, Assad, an official of USAID Office of Transition Initiative (OTI), told The Express Tribune they only have old projects to work on. “OTI is working closely with the Peshawar commissioner to identify areas where we can construct pedestrian bridges,” he said.

According to Assad, OTI has not received written orders regarding the withdrawal of funds from USAID.

However, another government official has confirmed there will be no new projects from USAID for Peshawar which is a loss for the city and could have been avoided.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 17^th, 2015.