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Power shortage to be overcome in next three years, vows Nawaz
* PM launches 404MW Uch Power Project-II in Dera Murad Jamali that will contribute an aggregate of 990MW gross electricity to national grid
DERA MURAD JAMALI/QUETTA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on Friday said that the shortage of electricity in the country would be overcome in three years.“The days of darkness are numbered and the future of Pakistan is bright,” the PM said after inaugurating the 404 megawatt Uch-II Power Plant at Dera Murad Jamali, that will contribute an aggregate of 990MW gross electricity to the national grid.
The Uch-II Power Plant, an independent power plant (IPP), has been constructed by GDF SUEZ, a French company, presently working in 70 countries.
Addressing the gathering at the inauguration ceremony, the PM termed democracy as a self-regulated system of accountability and said that democratic norms were flourishing in the country.
He said that the government aimed at ensuring economic and political independence of the people, and vowed to eliminate unemployment, inflation, illiteracy and sense of insecurity from the country. “A Pakistan free from these evils is our goal,” he said. The prime minister said that Balochistan was neglected in the past, but the democratic government would take necessary steps to lessen the sense of deprivation in the people of the province. He said his government had planned a big development programme for Balochistan and its people.
Nawaz Sharif announced that the government would ensure provision of natural gas to each and every city of Balochistan within three years. He directed Minister for Petroleum and Natural Resources Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to personally monitor this project and ensure its completion in time. He announced installation of two separate power lines from Uch-II Power Plant to Naseerabad and Sibi divisions. The prime minister said the power project was significant mainly for two reasons; it would be based on indigenous gas by substituting the expensive liquid fuel, and that it had been set up in Balochistan. He commended the contribution of GDF Suez for successful commissioning of the project, which he said was a valuable addition to the national grid.
He said that the GDF Suez had been a reliable energy partner of Pakistan for many years and was also playing its role in the socio-economic development of the province. He invited the French company to undertake more investment in Pakistan’s energy projects.
Nawaz said the electricity shortfall in the system had a very negative impact on the development of the country.
He said that new power projects were being constructed using conventional and renewable energy resources and technologies.
Earlier, Nawaz Sharif and Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch formally inaugurated the Uch-II Power Plant.
Speaking on the occasion, Abdul Malik said that the prime minister takes special interest in eradicating the sense of deprivation and backwardness among the people of Balochistan, and was taking practical steps in this regard.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk