LAHORE - Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the installation of gas based power projects will be a game changer in the energy sector.
Till the end of 2017 as many as 3600mw electricity will be added to the national grid through three gas based plants, two of them being developed with the resources of the Punjab government, the chief minister told a delegation of the General Electric Company, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Steve Bolz which met him here yesterday.
The chief minister informed the delegation about the efforts being made to overcome the energy crisis wherein gas power projects as cheap source of electricity are going to play a vital role. He said all the matters relating to these projects have been finalised speedily and transparently.
He said that foundation stone of two gas power projects have been laid and after Bhikki and Haveli Bahadur Shah, the foundation stone of gas power plant at Baloki will also be laid soon. He said that a total of 3600 megawatt electricity will be added to the national grid with the completion of these three projects. The chief minister said that energy projects being set up in Punjab would benefit the whole country. He said that gas-based power projects would prove to be game changer in energy sector.
Shahbaz Sharif said a new example of saving Rs 110 billion of public money has also been set. He said that Punjab government is setting up a gas-based power plant in Bhikki, Sheikhupura with its resources while federal government is establishing power plants at Haveli Bahadur Shah and Baloki. He said that these gas power plants will be completed by the end of 2017.
Shahbaz Sharif further said that tireless efforts made by the PML-N government during the last about two years are bearing fruit and there is no other example of transparency and speedy completion of projects worth billions of dollars in the history of Pakistan.
CEO of the Company Steve Bolze said that the matters regarding gas-based projects were to be disposed of in two years but under the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif this process has been completed within a short period of six month.
He said that a high standard and transparency has been ensured in gas power projects for which Chief Minister should be congratulated.
President of General Electric Company for Middle East, North Africa, Turkey and Pakistan Nabil Habayeb, Chief Executive Officer Power Systems Muhammad Mohhaisen, Presidents of the company for Pakistan and Middle East Sarim Sheikh and other officials besides Additional Chief Secretary Energy, Chairman National Power Parks Management Company Ch Arif Saeed, Chief Executive Officer of Haveli Bahadur Shah Gas Power Plant Rashid Langrial, Chief Executive Officer Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park Najam Shah and Chief Executive Officer of Quaid-e-Azam Thermal Power Company Ahad Cheema were present on the occasion.
Meanwhile, Shahbaz Sharif has said implementation of the Punjab Health Reform Roadmap has largely helped improve availability health facilities to the citizens.
He said this while addressing a high level meeting yesterday which reviewed the pace of implementation of the Roadmap. The chief minister asked the DCOs to pay regular visit to the hospitals to see proper treatment facilities are available to the patients.
However, speedy efforts are still on for ensuing provision of best and quality facilities of public health. He said this is a long journey wherein concerned institutions need to continue collective efforts, he added.
The CM said DCOs and EDOs Health, who are responsible for implantation of the Roadmap, showing good performance will be encouraged while inefficient ones held accountable.
He called for work on war footing for improving sanitary arrangements in the hospitals He said that hard work and commitment is essential for provision of quality health facilities in hospitals and basic health centers.
He said that Health Department is being bifurcated for provision of better health facilities to the citizens. The Chief Minister said that availability of medicines to the patients should be ensured in hospitals and digital monitoring system be evolved with regard to stock and supply of medicines to the patients.
The CM reprimanded DCO Khushab for unsatisfactory performance and said that there is no room for inefficient officers. He said that biometric system has been set up for improving attendance in hospitals.
He directed that action should be taken without any discrimination against those leaving the office without permission of competent authority. He said that complete audit of stock of medicines and their utilization in hospitals is essential by benefitting from information technology.
Special representative of British Department for International Development Sir Michael Barber said that encouraging results have been achieved from health reforms roadmap within a few months. Commendatory certificates were given to three lady health visitors for good performance.