Japan-Funded Water Supply Scheme Brings Clean Drinking Water to 6,000 People in Mansehra
Independent report
ISLAMABAD, November 11: Ambassador of Japan to Pakistan, H.E. Mr. Akamatsu Shuichi, on Wednesday inaugurated a Japanese-funded water supply scheme in Village Bakki, Mansehra, providing access to safe drinking water to more than 6,000 residents.
The project was implemented by Friends Welfare Association (FWA) Pakistan with financial assistance of USD 59,764 from the Government of Japan under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Programme.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by Member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Provincial Assembly Sardar Shahjehan Yousaf, Additional Deputy Commissioner Mansehra Asad Mehmood Lodhi, officials of the Japanese Embassy, representatives of FWA, members of the local Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Committee and community members.
Under the project, FWA completed a gravity-flow water supply system comprising 6,013 metres of galvanised iron main supply pipes and a water intake tank. The organisation and local community also contributed resources for excavation, transportation of materials and water quality testing.
To ensure the project’s long-term sustainability, FWA established a 20-member WASH Committee and provided its members with training in water quality management, hygiene promotion, and the operation and maintenance of the system.
The project addresses the longstanding shortage of clean drinking water in Village Bakki, where women and girls have traditionally faced considerable difficulties in collecting water. The new system is expected to reduce the burden of water collection, improve public health, create better educational opportunities for children and enhance the quality of life of local residents.
Addressing the ceremony, Ambassador Akamatsu congratulated FWA on completing the project and said access to safe drinking water was essential for improving people’s lives and promoting sustainable development.
He highlighted the benefits of the project, particularly for women and girls, and stressed the importance of proper operation and maintenance to ensure the continued availability of clean drinking water.
The Japanese ambassador reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s sustainable development and expressed hope that the water supply system would serve as a lasting symbol of friendship between Japan and Pakistan.
