Senate pushes Rs617m gas project for 42 Ghotki villages

Islamabad: After years of waiting, 42 villages located near the Badar Gas Field in District Ghotki are finally moving towards receiving natural gas as the Senate Petroleum Sub Committee pushed authorities to act on a long delayed promise linked to the Prime Minister’s Directive of 15 September 2003 and Supreme Court directions.

The Sub Committee, convened by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, expressed concern over the continued delay in providing gas facilities to villages located within five kilometres of gas producing fields. The Committee directed relevant departments and companies to ensure that previous commitments are converted into practical work without further delay.

The meeting was attended by Senators Manzoor Ahmed Kakar and Haji Hidayatullah Khan along with senior officials from the Petroleum Division, Finance Division, Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority, Sui Southern Gas Company Limited, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, Mari Energies and other stakeholders.

During the meeting, the Sub Committee decided to give top priority to the gasification project for the remaining 42 villages near Badar Gas Field, District Ghotki. The estimated cost of the project is Rs617 million.

The Special Secretary Petroleum Division, Finance Division officials and Chairman OGRA assured the Committee that Rs200 million would initially be released from the allocated Rs1 billion funds to start the project immediately.

Managing Director Sui Southern Gas Company Limited informed the Committee that the company would provide its share of funding and begin technical planning, engineering work and procurement activities. It was decided that project activities would begin within ten days after the release of initial funds.

The Committee was informed that remaining funds required for completing the project would be arranged without interruption. The Petroleum Division and Finance Division assured the Committee that financial issues would not become a reason for further delay.

The Sub Committee also reviewed the wider issue of gas supply to villages located within five kilometres of gas producing fields across Pakistan. Officials informed the Committee that new policy guidelines are being prepared to implement the Prime Minister’s Directive and Supreme Court instructions regarding gasification of eligible villages.

The Petroleum Division was directed to present a complete implementation plan in the next meeting. The plan will include details about funding arrangements, responsibilities of different organizations, district wise schedules and clear completion timelines for all remaining eligible villages across the country.