Fed govt urges provinces to help in water sector projects

The federal government has sought the help of the provinces for prioritizing water sector projects in the country. Also, the Federal Minister for Water Resources Faisal Vawda says the water sector projects should not be taken without reviewing the availability of funds.
The government believes any new mega Water sector project should not be inaugurated without the prior consensus of the stakeholders, proper feasibility and availability of funds.
In a moot chaired by the federal minister as regards water sector projects, it was unearthed that various projects are pending for three decades and are faced with delays resulting in cost escalation, loss of time and resultant water scarcity.
The federal minister was briefed about the completion of seven water-related projects in the current financial year (2019-20). They include Right Bank Outfall Drain (RBOD) – I & III and six dams in Balochistan province.
RBOD I & III will flush out saline water from 2.5 million acres of land in Sindh and Balochistan and will help the provinces overcoming the issues of waterlogging and salinity”.
Vawda said the water projects inaugurated for the sake of optics were pending for the last thirty years and burdening the national exchequer.
He said, “Let us pledge not to inaugurate projects without funds availability and a defined timeline for completion.”
Vawda said that under the existing scenario, the importance of building reservoirs in the country cannot be ignored.
Keeping in view the current water situation, it will be prudent to give weight to the opinion of the professionals if we are truly committed to overcoming the issue of looming water crisis in the country, he says.
“We believe in building consensus of all stakeholders on the matter urging all provincial representatives to assist the federal government in prioritizing the projects vis-à-vis availability of funds and their long term impact on the water availability for the country.
He also said that because of the lack of funds and planning various projects have been pending more than three decades “Delay in construction of such projects has resulted in cost escalation, loss of time and water scarcity” he added.
Building water reservoirs and ensuring the availability of water is the topmost priority of the current government. He told the moot that the Ministry of water resources had 61 ongoing water sector projects while 51 new projects had been included in the water sector development portfolio.
“Keeping in view the water situation 34 out of 51 new projects are proposed for Balochistan province” he added