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Launching Ceremony of “Improvement of Drinking Water and Sanitation in Quetta” on December 15, 2009

QUETTA: (BRSP) Balochistan Rural Support Program in collaboration with Public Health Engineering government of Balochistan and Kfw-Development Bank Germany launched the project entitled, “Improvement of Drinking Water and Sanitation facilities in Quetta” on December 15, 2009.

The function was attended by Provincial Minister for Health Haji Ainullah Shams, Mr. Gul Muhammad Khoso, Secretary Public Health Engineering Department Govt. of Balochistan, Mr. Nadir Gul Barech, Chief Executive Officer BRSP, Mr. Ferdinand Jenrich 2nd Secretary German Embassy, Ms. Anna Christine Janke from KfW-development bank Germany, Brig. Retd Abdul Razaq Baloch and representatives of local and international organizations, media representatives, civil society and people from different walks of life.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Nadir Gul Barech, Chief Executive Officer BRSP shed light on the aims and objectives of BRSP and water and sanitation project. He said that the project regarding Improvement of Drinking Water and Sanitation would help provide people of Quetta district in 5 union councils with sustainable water and sanitation facilities using appropriate technology and efficient management system.

Mr. Barech said that the project would mainly focus on providing substantial assistance to rehabilitate and restore the non-functional, damaged and inadequate drinking water as well as sanitation infrastructure. He said that water scarcity and sanitation problems have further deteriorated in the provincial capital over the past decade. In connection with this, BRSP has been striving to overcome the situation and provide the people of rural Balochistan with potable drinking water, sanitation and hygiene facilities. He further emphasized the role of social mobilization and awareness raising of people in rural areas for appropriate use of water.

Mr. Gul Muhammad Khoso, Secretary Public Health Engineering Department, Government of Balochistan said the population of the provincial capital increased rapidly but limited resources cause problems for the people at the grassroots level. He said that government of Balochistan gives top priority to clean drinking water provision, adding all in hand resources would be utilized to tackle sanitation issue.

Mr. Fernand Jenrich, 2nd Secretary German Embassy said that German government wants to help provide water and sanitation facilities to the people of Balochistan. Talking about the project of Improvement of Drinking Water and Sanitation, he was of the view that it would be a useful intervention for provision of potable water and sanitation facilities.

Mr. Qazi Shahid Pervez, Secretary Local Government and Rural Development, Government of Balochistan expressed his views that water and sanitation has become a serious issue, which was desperately needed to be tackled. He hoped that the partnership of PHED, BRSP and KfW-development bank Germany would yield positive results in Quetta district. Lauding the performance of BRSP, he said that BRSP has rendered valuable services in the province. However, he assured all possible cooperation from his department on this joint venture.

Mr. Muhammad Naseem Secretary Planning and Development said that government of Balochistan is sincere to resolve the issues of the province. He said government had fewer resources but the problems are numerous, nevertheless, the govt. is striving hard to solve these problems with the passage of time. He said government was making strategies to cope with the situation of water scarcity and sanitation problems. He said due to fewer resources the people were not provided clean potable water in the district. He welcomed the support of KfW development bank Germany in the Balochistan province.

Meanwhile, Brig. Retd. Abdur Razaq expressed concern over the situation and said if timely steps were not taken to solve water scarcity problem, the situation would further get worsened. Mr. Baloch urged that government should devise strategies and create close coordination with non-governmental organizations in this connection.

Chief Guest of the function, Provincial Minister for Health Haji Ainullah Shams said that government has been making all possible efforts to provide clean drinking water and sanitation facilities to the masses. He said that it is the responsibility of the present government to provide basic health, education and other facilities at the doorsteps of the people. Minister Health appreciated the efforts of BRSP and said the project regarding Improvement of Drinking Water and Sanitation would help facilitate the people of Quetta. He assured all possible cooperation and support to BRSP and said no stone would be left unturned to meet the needs of the people.

In the end, Sardar Naseer Tareen chairman BRSP thanked all the distinguished guests for their participation.

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