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| Wednesday, 30 July 2003 |
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by Rajmi Manatunga The Government plans to develop Valaichchenai, one of the most war-affected areas in the Eastern province, at a cost of Rs 450 million. The development programme funded partly by the Government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is aimed at restoring prosperity to Valaichchenai by making optimum use of local resources and increasing investment opportunities. Western Region Development Minister M.H. Mohamed told the media yesterday that the massive development plan consisted of seven short term, 12 medium term and four long term projects for improving living conditions and promoting tourism and other commercial activities in Valaichchenai. Among the principal projects of the development plan are public market revitalisation, re-commissioning the ferry service to Navanthurai, reconstruction of roads, development of the Pasikudah tourist zone, redevelopment of the Valaichchenai fisheries harbour, improvements to the storm water drainage and solid waste management systems and housing and water supplies. The LTTE has pledged its support for this development programme. Statistics have revealed that the population of Valaichchenai has grown at a high rate despite the war. The population for this year has been estimated as 114,000, almost double the population prior to the conflict. However, Valaichchenai today has been identified as an under-developed area with a 12.5 per cent unemployment rate, inadequate transport and sanitation facilities, only 12.5 per cent of the roads tarred and over 65.5 per cent of the population without electricity. The Minister said the project will address these basic problems and also focus on the development of agricultural land in the area which comprises 36 per cent of the total land area of Valachchenai. "Valaichchenai has many strengths for economic progress like better linkages, land availability, tourist attractions and fisheries resources. However, there are also numerous weaknesses regarding infrastructure facilities and housing," he said. The Urban Development Authority (UDA) which carries out the development plan said the projects will address recent damage to buildings, add 22,820 new housing units, supply 29,556 new individual electricity connections, upgrade educational facilities and create 36,040 job opportunities by 2023. The development work is expected to commence within a month. |
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