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MNA Demands utilization of Norwegian fund through skilled NGOs

By Zahiruddin

CHITRAL: Member of National Assembly from Chitral Shahzada Mohyuddin has demanded of the Norwegian government to take the elected representatives of Chitral district into confidence before launching the multi-billion dollar development project for the district. Addressing a press conference here on Sunday, he thanked the Norwegian government for providing huge amount of money for the uplift of Chitral but said that all this will end in fiasco if the funds are not utilized through proper executing organization. Expressing his utter disappointment, he said that the utilization of the funds are being done by an organization named THRIVE is a contractors , which is not primarily an executing agency and has absolutely no experience in rural development work. He alleged that the contractors has acquired the contract using its personal influence as relative of its managing director is employed in the Norwegian embassy. MNA said that contractors have not been able to satisfy the community representatives and the beneficiaries on the modality of the programme and recruitment of the staff. The focus of the contractors has been on employing low-paid and un experienced staff without considering its adverse impact on the quality of management. Mr. Mohyuddin said that as MNA from the area, he has conveyed his strong reservations about the modus operandi of the implementation of the project to the Norwegian embassy. He proposed that the funds by funneled through Aga Khan Rural Support Programme and Sarhad Rural Support Programme which are already having heavy establishment in Chitral and possess a rich expertise in rural development and poverty alleviation projects. He regretted that the THRIVE even did not bother to present a briefing about its to the elected representatives of Chitral including MNA, MPAs and tehsil nazims despite repeated requests.