PESHAWAR, Oct 3: NWFP Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah has announced the establishment of another campus of NWFP University of Engineering and Technology, a most modern children’s hospital at Abbottabad and a grant of Rs60 million to complete the on-going electrification scheme in the district.

Addressing a ceremony at Jalal Baba Auditorium, Abbottabad, on Wednesday, the governor said the new campus of the university, which would be the third of its series after Mardan and Bannu and be set up in the old campus of the Ayub Medical College, would start functioning shortly.

Besides, he said, the DHQ Hospital, which had been restored by the present government, was also being gradually strengthened and would eventually also become a complete hospital.

Referring to the performance of the government, he described the creation of local government system as the most visible achievement, and said it had, in fact, replaced an outdated and colonial system.

In the new system, he said, not a single person enjoyed any discretion in the decision-making process rather it was the respective assembly which enjoyed the authority to take decisions after proper consultation.

He, however, said there were certain hurdles in its smooth functioning and performance, which needed to be removed without any delay. In this connection, the governor also mentioned the ensuing general elections, and said the expected national and provincial assemblies would also have a very important role with regard to the future of the local government institutions.

He advised the people to give their verdict in accordance with their conscience in the Oct 10 elections. Such people, he said, should be sent to the assemblies whose past had no stigma and had the ability to represent them in the elected houses.

Talking about the resource distribution process in the province, he said, the provincial finance commission had formally started functioning from the current year and distribution was being made according to the population ratio as well as available facilities and the prevailing situation of backwardness of any area.

The provincial government, he said, was taking prompt initiatives to meet the immediate needs of the districts.

Responding to a demand presented by Abbottabad district Nazim Ghulam Mustafa Khan Jadoon, the governor said the federal government was already considering to upgrade the existing IT institute, Abbottabad, to the level of IT university and the decision was expected to be taken shortly.

Referring to another point, he disclosed that the provincial government would provide matching grant to the Abbottabad district Bar.

Provincial minister for local government Athar Minallah was also present on the occasion.

THANDIANI ROAD: Syed Iftikhar also inspected the newly-upgraded Abbottabad Thandiani Road on Wednesday.

The governor, who was accompanied by Athar Minallah, works and services secretary Safdar Hussain and Abbottabad DCO Abdul Rasheed, travelled right up to the Thandiani top through the road, and expressed his satisfaction over the standard and quality of the work.

The governor, however, desired for making proper arrangements for maintenance of the road, specially the development of drainage system to ensure proper outlet of the rainy water.

It is worth mentioning that improvement and up-gradation work of the about 24km-long road was started in the beginning of last month and completed according to the schedule.

LIBRARY: The governor further announced a grant of Rs1 million for the provision of books and other facilities in the Central Library at Jalal Baba Auditorium, Abbottabad.

Syed Iftikhar, who was accompanied by Athar Minallah, Ghulam Mustafa Jadoon and senior officials of the district government, inspected various sections of the library as well as the auditorium and took keen interest in its development.

He also desired that besides providing latest books in different fields efforts be made to provide internet facilities in the library.

Responding to points raised by DCO Abdur Rashid, during a briefing on the occasion, the governor also assured to take necessary measures for repairs and maintenance of the library.

He however, expressed concern over the damages caused by seepage of roofs as well as defective drainage system and advised the concerned authorities to take necessary measures.