PESHAWAR, March 2: Fata Development Authority (FDA) has identified 120 potential small dam sites in Fata whereas it has completed work on Dargai Pal Dam in South Waziristan Agency and has prepared feasibility of Baran Dam and 13 other such projects.

This was told during a presentation to the Governor Barrister Syed Masood Kausar at the Governor House on Wednesday, according to handout.

Mr Kausar was apprised of characteristics, mandated functions, mode and scope of work, achievements and development programme of the FDA for the current financial year.

He was informed that the FDA was also working on a number of projects for provision of electricity through solar energy to some 450 far-flung areas of Fata.

The FDA was also working on corporate lines to lay foundation for public-private partnership with decentralised decision making and focus on development of human and natural resources in Fata.

“The FDA has pure development functions and no operational and maintenance responsibility,” said Attaullah, the chief executive of the authority, while giving the presentation.

He said the FDA had been mandated to assess potential for economic development in Fata, work for industrial, mineral, water and power and skill development besides SME financing, tourism and township development.

In the mineral sector 85 percent area of Fata had been geologically explored where prospects for a number of precious minerals including oil, gas, gold, copper, manganese, chromites had been promising.

In the industrial sector, work on Rs351 million marble city projects in Mohmand Agency was in progress where infrastructure development was going on 350 acres of land acquired for the city.

One industrial estate was planned in FR Kohat to develop a hunting and sporting arms cluster, and coal briquette plant was suggested in Orakzai and Kurram Agencies, where huge coal reserves and many coal mines were available.

The governor was also informed about Fata Youth Skill Development Programme under which 2,384 youth had been provided institution-based training. Similarly, 7,775 women were trained in embroidery, knitting and tailoring in 70 women skill development centres established throughout Fata.