Peshawar – Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Energy and Power Nazir Ahmad Abbasi has expressed strong displeasure over the non-completion and slow pace of work on several mini-micro hydel stations (small hydropower projects) being implemented by the provincial government in districts deprived of electricity.A
He directed the Secretary Energy and Power, along with the Chief Executive Officer of the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organization (PEDO), to conduct an inquiry into the matter and submit a detailed report within a week.
The minister also took strict notice of public complaints regarding flagship projects of the PTI government and warned that the honeymoon period was now over.
He said any official found negligent, involved in corruption, or failing to perform their duties would be dismissed, and strict action would be taken in accordance with the law.
Meanwhile, 13 solar energy mini-grid stations in the merged districts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa have entered the final stages of completion and are expected to be inaugurated next month.
The projects will provide people with low-cost, environment-friendly electricity for domestic and commercial use.
He expressed these views while chairing a review meeting on ongoing energy projects at the Energy Department. Secretary Energy and Power Nisar Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer PEDO Engr Anwar-ul-Haq, and other senior officers of the department attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the minister was briefed on 316 projects completed under the mini-micro hydel station programme and 75 projects affected by the devastating floods of 2022. It was informed that 58 flood-damaged projects had been completed under the rehabilitation programme, while work was underway on 17 projects, which would be completed during the second year.
The projects are being implemented under a community-based programme at an estimated cost of Rs6 billion and will generate a total of 29 megawatts (MW) of electricity.
Similarly, work is underway on 71 mini-micro hydel projects under the second phase of the programme.
Nazir Abbasi questioned the concerned project director about the slow pace of work and public complaints.
He also sought an explanation regarding the circumstances that led to a loss of approximately Rs1.5 billion due to faulty project designs during the floods.
Abbasi directed the department to conduct surveys in the Hazara and Malakand divisions under public welfare programmes so that people-friendly projects could be initiated after identifying new suitable sites.
He emphasised that the government would work hard to fulfil its public mandate by serving the people and ensuring rapid implementation of development projects. He said no negligence would be tolerated in this regard.
