Swiss Ambassador inaugurates 800 KV hydro power house at Yarkhun Valley

CHITRAL, April 23 (APP)::The Aga Khan Rural Support Programme (AKRSP) has completed an 800 KV micro hydro power house at Yarkhun Valley with a cost of Rs 194 million of 10 million of community share and 19 million by
AKRSP.
The power house was completed with the financial support of
SDC (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation), a Switzerland based donor
agency.
Ambassador of Switzerland Mr. Thomas Kolly was chief guest
on the occasion who inaugurated the newly completed power house by cutting the
ribbon on Sunday.
On this occasion his wife,Deputy country head of SDC Mr. Deniel Angeloguseppe, Miss Sana Omar
senior programme officer of SDC, Muzafarud Din General Manager of AKRSP,
AkhtarIqbal Chief Executive officer of Aga Khan Foundation, Sherzad Ali Haider
of AKDN, Eng Sardar Ayub Regional Programme Manager AKRSP were also present.
Swiss Ambassador and SDC team also inspected the newly
established power house and were briefed regarding the function of the power
house. Sales officer Najma briefed the delegation that this is the first
ever modern power house running with prepaid digital meter in which the consumer load balance and electricity at the rate of rupees 4 per unit was available.
Local people also presented traditional Chitrali and Hunza
Caps as a gift to their guests.
Addressing on the occasion chief guest Mr. Thomas Kolly
highly hailed local people for their hardworking, hospitality and love for
peace and for being disciplined. He said this is the first stair of their
development and this power house will bring positive changes in their socio
economics condition and daily life. Local artists also presented folk music to
the guests.
Talking to APP, Thomas Kolly said after visiting of
Yarkhun valley he consider himself Ambassador of Chitral too instead of
Switzerland because he is very much impressed by these people.
Conveying his message to world tourists he invites them to
must come here and enjoy this peaceful environment.
A large number of people including women folk participated
in the opening ceremony of power house and expressed jubilation and happiness on
this occasion.