PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Energy and Power Nazir Ahmad Abbasi has ordered an inquiry into the non-completion and slow pace of work on some mini- and micro-hydel stations being implemented by the provincial government in electricity-deprived areas.
The minister directed the Secretary Energy and Power and Chief Executive Officer of the Pakhtunkhwa Energy Development Organisation (PEDO) to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit a report within a week.
Taking strict notice of public complaints regarding the flagship projects of the provincial government, Abbasi warned that the “honeymoon period is over” and officials found negligent or involved in corruption would face dismissal and strict legal action.
He issued the directives while chairing a review meeting on ongoing energy projects at the Energy Department. Secretary Energy and Power Nisar Ahmed, PEDO CEO Engr Anwarul Haq and other senior officials attended the meeting.
The meeting was informed that 316 mini-micro hydel projects had been completed under the programme, while 75 projects were affected by the devastating floods of 2022.Of the flood-damaged projects, 58 have been rehabilitated, while work on the remaining 17 projects is underway and is expected to be completed during the second year of the rehabilitation programme.
The projects are being executed under a community-based programme at an estimated cost of Rs6 billion and will generate a combined 29 megawatts of electricity. Work is also under way on 71 mini-micro hydel projects under the second phase of the programme.
