RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: A mission of Asian Development Bank (ADB) headed by Urban Development and Water Division Central and West Asia Department (UDWDCWAD) Kiyoshi Nakamitsu has arrived in Lahore to oversee the implementation of ADB funded Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Programme (PICIIP) to develop sustainable urban infrastructure in Sahiwal and Sialkot districts.

Oyeshadevie S.I Thakerodin consultant, urban climate change specialist, Charles Felix Simbillo associate project analyst (UDWDCWAD) are also accompanying the mission. Staff members from PMU presented different matters related to PICIIP implementation in meeting with Loan Inception Mission, chaired by the Programme Director Kaiser Saleem.

The project is an important milestone in the development of intermediate cities of Punjab and it will complement the ongoing efforts of the government of Punjab to achieve sustainable development goals, Kiyoshi Nakamitsu said. The PICIIP is expected to benefit 1.4 million people in the cities of Sahiwal and Sialkot.

Programme Director PICIIP Kaiser Saleem said the assistance of ADB ($200 million loan) is a welcome development for residents of Punjab particularly for Sahiwal and Sialkot as it will greatly contribute to improving the quality of life in urban centres of Punjab. The PICIIP is consistent with Punjab Chief Minister’s Vision 2020 for urban sector that aims to create world-class infrastructure and services to support modern urban centres to strengthen urban business process, urban planning and management framework in Sahiwal and Sialkot.

PICIIP aims to support municipal corporations of Sahiwal and Sialkot to develop sustainable, vibrant, innovative and equitable cities. It will strengthen business process and economic activities in the participatory cities. The project will finance subprojects to provide safer, efficient and sustainable urban infrastructure through transport, solid waste, waste water and drainage solution, he further said.