KARACHI (July 17 2009): Nazim Karachi Syed Mustafa Kamal said that Karachi had become a mega-international city because of rapid progress. He said that world over, in mega cities, the mass transit system was supported at the federal level. Because no district government could complete such a stupendous project within its limited resources.
He was exchanging views with Edward Birgells, Deputy Director USAID for the Infrastructure Development Fund, who met him at his office on Thursday. Mr Edward showed interest in many projects, including the desalination plant, bio-gas plant, energy, technical education and infrastructure development.
Nazim Karachi said that massive migration to Karachi in search of livelihood, demanded that new sources of water be sought, because water, as per demand, in the future would not be available from rivers and dams and, therefore, the installation of a desalination plant would be an imperative.He said that a speedy development process must continue as it was inevitable for the country's prosperity and particularly, for industrial and commercial activities and international investment.
He suggested that USAID should devise a system whereby the city government may only submit projects and funds spent by USAID, with an appropriate schedule for paying back the investment, while the city government or Nazim had no direct links to it.Mustafa Kamal stated that under the public-private partnership, projects of technical education, school education, IT Tower etc were being successfully implemented.
Under this system, the government provided land, while the project cost was borne by the private sector. In this regard he cited the example of the Memon Industrial and Technical Training Institute, Korangi where youths were imparted training with the participation of the private sector.After training, employment was also guaranteed. The Nazim said that the city government would establish four more such institutes. He told visitors that the city government had direct access to the people at the lowest level and, therefore, the provision of resources for Karachi was necessary.
He pointed out that Karachi was the most appropriate city for investment, as it was nearest to the Middle East and a major city of the Islamic world, with the best strategic location. "We have involved the citizens in the performance of civic affairs and thousands of youth are rendering voluntary services in education, health, traffic management and various other sectors under the "I Own Karachi" program.He revealed that instead of depending on government aid for completion of projects like the desalination plant, mass transit etc, the Karachi Development Fund had been instituted. Citizens made voluntary donations to it.
He referred to the issue of power shortages and said that they were badly affecting industrial and commercial activities and unemployment was growing. Edward Birgells had a detailed exchange of views on projects of the desalination plant, bio-gas, energy and technical education.He appreciated the Nazim's development vision for Karachi and said that USAID was examining the provision of financial assistance for development work and infrastructure improvement in various cities
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