PESHAWAR: US Ambassador to Pakistan Donald A Blome visited the Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) office here on Monday to celebrate the successful completion of the USAID-funded municipal services programme in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, a 12-year, $44.6 million effort.

A statement issued here said under the project, 140 clean drinking water facilities serving 448,000 people were rehabilitated.

In addition, 25,700 meters of old and rusted water mains were also replaced, ensuring clean, reliable water supply in 21 union councils, besides rehabilitating sewerage and drainage lines, which improved sanitation for 1.7 million people.

The project also put in place more efficient solid waste collection and disposal, including improved municipal waste management services, including 575 vehicles and the establishment of a repair and maintenance workshop for waste management equipment.

“We should all be proud of the profound impact the municipal services project has had on the lives of approximately 1.9 million residents in Peshawar’s urban areas – improved hygiene conditions, reduced risk of urban flooding, and better environmental protection,” Ambassador Blome said. “I’m grateful to the strong partnership between USAID and the government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – notably the local government, elections and rural development department – that made this programme possible,” he added.

Published in Dawn, November 28th, 2023