He wished to be an active partner in the livestock and dairy development as a part of poverty reduction and empowerment of women plan. Provincial Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Sardar Idrees Khan, secretary local government, secretary P&D and others were also present at the occasion.
The chief minister said that the rains and snowfall had devastating effects throughout the province. The services sectors and even the infrastructure had been washed away. The support and sympathies of the UNDP and other donor agencies was a source of consolation for the government and people of the province.
The provincial government has been engaged in the relief measures to mitigate the sufferings of the affected people. His government has empowered the district administrations for the relief measures. It released funds to facilitate relief activities and an area where the relief measures could not be carried out through traditional means his government initiated steps to undertake relief measures through untraditional means. The desire is to reach to the people, who are in need of the provincial government help.
Durrani highly appreciated the role of UNDP under the dynamic leadership of Onder Yucer, Resident Representative of United Nations Development Programme who spared no moment to plan and undertake schemes for the people of Frontier province adding that UNDP and Frontier government had a common goal and common agenda for the poverty reduction and improved services in social sectors. The government and people of NWFP greatly value the devoted contribution of the UNDP.
The chief minister also highlighted the provincial government's steps to devolve power, authority and services down to the grass root level. His government was for the efficient services in education, health, communication and other social sectors at district level so that the people could enjoy them in their own district. This would also put a brake to urbanisation.
The chief minister also appreciated the poverty reduction programme and added that his government would put all out co-operation to make the plan a success story adding that this programme has already started giving relief to the people. He said that a representative government should have a clear direction about the needs and requirements of its people.
The chief minister said that we know about water shortage even for drinking purposes. There is acute shortage of drinking and irrigation water in six southern districts. Though the water sources were available but we lack the resources to promote these water resources for drinking and irrigation purposes, he added.
He requested the Onder Yucer, to include livestock and dairy development as part of poverty reduction plan that was accepted by Onder. Durrani said that his government was planning to establish two milk-processing plants at Pirsabak and Dera.
The chief minister said that his government, through a democratic approach, ensured equal funding to male, female and members of minorities for developmental schemes. This approach was missing in the past and it goes to the credit of his government that it took steps to empower women. However, the chief minister termed education a key for women empowerment and poverty reduction, etc.
Onder Yucer conveyed condolence to the provincial government for losses of lives and properties of the people caused by rains and snow. He assured that UNDP would continue to support its projects for capacity buildings of finance, planning and local government departments.
He said that UNDP was also considering launching urban poverty alleviation in three centres. The project would be initiated in three cities. In seven other districts, poverty reduction activities and programme for human development would continue.