Zardari for building non-controversial small dams
17 September, 2010
ISLAMABAD: President Asif Ali Zardari on Thursday advised the government to consider localising the production and distribution of electricity and to facilitate the private sector set up small power plants, to serve as dedicated power sources to localised consumers.
The president made the remarks during a presentation on small hydel power projects at the Aiwan-e-Sadr.
Briefing the media Spokesperson to the President Farhatullah Babar said the President was of the view that building large dams without a broad-based consensus could be detrimental to the national integrity.
He called for concentrating on building a series of non-controversial small dams throughout the country.
He emphasized on early completion of ongoing small hydel projects in the country to fully utilize huge potential of the country in hydropower generation.
This, he said, would not only help meet the energy requirements but would also reduce dependence on other sources for producing direly needed energy and save forex reserves of the country.
He said that the president believes that while efforts to develop consensus may continue, concentration should be on building a series of non-controversial small dams throughout the country.
The president said there were a large number of suitable sites in all the provinces where small and medium sized dams could be built expeditiously to address both water and power issues.
Discussing the role of private sector in this regard, the president said that in order to fully tap huge natural wealth of the country, the private sector needs to be encouraged and facilitated to the maximum extent so as to step forward and undertake various projects.
He directed the concerned departments to gear up their efforts for attracting local as well as international investment in the power sector through offering them incentive based packages and extending maximum facilitation.
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