950827

$600m NDP:

World Bank

appraisal

mission due

next month

RECORDER REPORT

ISLAMABAD: An appraisal mission of the World Bank for the $600 million National Drainage Programme (NDP) is expected next month.

Asif H. Kazi, Special Secretary, Ministry of Water and Power, told Business Recorder that NDP will be co-financed by the Asian Development Bank and Japanese Overseas Economic Cooperation Fund (OECF).

World Bank is expected to contribute $300 million, ADB $140 million and OECF $160 million.

Their teams will be in Pakistan for over two months for negotiations with the Federal and Provincial governments and visit various project sites.

The Pakistan government is expected to contribute $200 million to the National Drainage Programme.

It is further learnt that coming on the heels of the NDP is the $400 million NIP (National Irrigation Programme) to improve the neglected aspect of water sector. Negotiations will be held after finalisation of NDP assistance.

In the meantime, Pakistan is bracing up with new institutional framework for irrigation system which was discussed at a top-level meeting at the presidency attended by Prime Minister Benazir.

The new framework envisages replacement of the provincial irrigation departments by autonomous provincial irrigation and drainage authorities.

The provincial authorities will be in place by July 1, 1996.

The provincial governments have about 10 months to complete the process which entails financial administrative and legal actions as new legislation is to be undertaken by the provinces.

The provincial authority in Punjab will be called-Pida, in Balochistan-Bida, in Sindh-Sida, and in NWFP-Nida. These provincial authorities will comprise chairman and three members, at least one from the Agriculture sector.

The authority will retain water revenues and spend these on better operation and maintenance of the water network. In turn, it would improve the delivery system, reduce losses and ensure timely supply of water to crops. Farmers will be the main beneficiaries with more land under cultivation and higher yields.

Besides provincial irrigation and drainage authority, sources in the Ministry of Water and Power said there will be area water boards to look after canal network. Besides government functionaries, area water boards will involve farmers. It is expected that each of the 43 canal systems will have its own area boards.

The Water Section of Wapda will be engaged in planning and developing new irrigation projects but Wapda will have no role in the maintenance and operation of irrigation and drainage projects which will be the responsibility of the provincial irrigation and drainage authorities.

The restructuring of the system is expected to pave the way for massive foreign assistance from the donors.