ISLAMABAD: Gwadar Port Authority (GPA) has spent Rs 1 million on the social sector programs and the development of underprivileged areas and people in the last two years.
Despite the fact that currently there are not much operations at the Gwadar Port and a small revenue is earned, even then funds have been spent on social-economic related projects with a hope for better working of the port.
“The said amount excludes the funds spent by the Chinese Company and the Chinese government for the uplift of the said areas” a source privy to Minister for Ports and Shipping Kamran Michael told Customs Today adding that Gwadar Port Authority Board approved a Social Sector Development Fund in 2014.
The source said that with the efforts of GPA and Ministry of Ports and Shipping, the Chinese government was providing solar electric systems and goods (LED bulbs, tube lights and Solar Power Generation systems) to poor families in Gwadar. Therefore a grant of Rs 320.000 million for these goods is scheduled to arriving for Gwadar in March or April this year.
Similarly, the source said that the Port Operator (M/s China Overseas Port Holding Company) donated three school buses as part of Social Sector Responsibility through GPA to Education Department Gwadar. The Chinese Company has also created an Education Support Funds Rs 500,000 annually.
Moreover, the source added that GPA with the assistance of Chinese government grant had planned to start building a Vocational Training Institute in Free Zone so that the local people of the region were trained in port and free zone related skills and trades. Construction work on this institute will start within the current year.
GPA adopted a primary school in the poorest locality of Gwadar Town, renovated the school building, provided electrical items, furniture, uniform and restored the source of clean drinking water facility” the source added saying that GPA annually provided three scholarships to toppers of Primary, Middle and Matric examinations studying in government schools in Gwadar District.
Moreover, the source observed that GPA encouraged IT literacy in the very poor localities of Gwadar and so far had provided three computers to IT centres functioning in such areas. GPA has also provided books to best students belonging to poor families.
Furthermore, the source noted that GPA also encouraged investors and Chinese Embassy to provide grants to poor schools and health institutions for medicine. On two different occasions, the Chinese Embassy provided grants and gifts to students, teachers, schools, and hospitals.
