The establishment of field-testing laboratories at the district level and a proper monitoring system can reduce the cost of construction during the execution of development projects in the newly-merged areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, WealthPK reports.

According to a study, the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa can save up to Rs5 billion rupees per year by reducing construction costs in tribal districts of the province.

The study, conducted with the assistance of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), suggests the establishment of field-testing laboratories at the district level and a real-time monitoring system for the timely resolution of problems.

According to a press release issued in Peshawar, the findings of the study were shared at a dissemination event wherein a report was launched on the provincial government’s Special Emphasis Programme (SEP) titled ‘Road to better service delivery in merged areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa -- improving infrastructure development.’

“Field-testing laboratories at the district level will offer a cost-effective, time-saving and context-specific solution to accelerate development in the merged areas, whereas the real-time performance management system will help to identify and immediately resolve administrative and technical challenges,” said Raluca Eddon, UNDP Programme Manager for Pakistan’s merged areas governance programme.

He said that the initiative was piloted in Orakzai, Kurram and Khyber tribal districts in August 2021 as part of the provincial government’s Accelerated Implementation Programme (AIP), designed specifically to augment the economic development of the merged areas.

A total of 64 projects were monitored as part of the intervention. The results showed that more than Rs5 billion rupees will possibly be saved per annum if the SEP is applied at the district level.

Speaking on the occasion, Muhammad Uzair, the chief engineer of the communication and works department, said the unique and diverse geographical terrain of the merged areas required an innovative approach to infrastructure development.

“The SEP offers an insight to make it quicker and more cost-effective,” he said. Infrastructure development is one of the key sectors the provincial government is focusing on, through a rather inclusive AIP-II that carries the public’s input and suggestions.

The department is currently considering the SEP study findings to improve the speed and cost-effectiveness of construction projects that will create short-term employment opportunities and promote economic growth in the region, according to the press release, available with WealthPK.

Credit: Independent News Pakistan-WealthPak