U.S. Ambassador Celebrates Successful Completion of USAID-funded Municipal Services Program in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Haroon Siraj

Peshawar – U.S. Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome visited the Water and Sanitation Services Company Peshawar (WSSP) to celebrate the successful completion of the USAID-funded Municipal Services Program in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP), which cost $44.6 million. On this occasion the project officer thanked the US Ambassador and said that today dwellers of Peshawar have better and more reliable access to clean, drinking water, waste management, and improved sanitation.

According to the Spokesperson of US Consulate, this project’s accomplishments include the rehabilitation of 140 clean drinking water facilities serving more than 448,000 people, replacement of 25,700 meters of old and rusted water mains, ensuring clean, reliable water supply in 21 Union Councils while besides this rehabilitated sewerage and drainage lines, which improve sanitation for 1.7 million people. The project also Improved municipal waste management services, including 575 vehicles and the establishment of a repair and maintenance workshop for waste management equipment.

Addressing on the occasion US Ambassador Donald Blome has said that we should all be proud of the profound impact the Municipal Services Project 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. I am grateful to the strong partnership between USAID and the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa – notably the Local Government and Rural Development Department that made this program possible,” he added.

The Municipal Services Project in KP demonstrates the United States’ strong and enduring commitment to the Pakistani people to support their welfare and wellbeing, broad-based, sustainable economic development, and a secure and prosperous Pakistan.

Beyond the Municipal Services Project, the United States through USAID has partnered with the KP Government to reconstruct critical infrastructure damaged by natural and manmade disasters. USAID also supports initiatives focused on basic healthcare, women’s education, and economic opportunities throughout the province.