WORLD BANK OFFICIALS MET THE MINISTER FOR PORTS AND SHIPPING SENATOR KAMRAN MICHAEL TO DISCUSS PORT IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
The World Bank team, carrying out the midterm review of World Bank financed Karachi Port Improvement Project, visited Karachi Port for a meeting with the Minister for Ports and Shipping Senator Kamran Michael and Chairman KPT Rear Admiral Azhar Hayat in which the master plan of KPT was discussed. The World Bank team is presently going to assess progress on key components of the project, review the operational aspects and progress towards achieving the development objectives. The mission will focus on determining corrective actions needed for the project to achieve intended results and to suggest any adjustment if so required based upon the discussion with Government counterparts and other stakeholders. The mission is also meeting port users to get their feedback.
During the meeting the World Bank officials were informed by the Chairman KPT Rear Admiral Azhar Hayat that through the World Bank loan of $115.8 million, KPT intends to reconstruct its berths 15 – 17A at east wharves of port’s existing channel along with hiring of consultants for the performing studies related to 10 Years Master Plan of KPT and regarding the Environment Improvement of Karachi Port. The Minister appreciated the handling of affairs on strong grounds by the World Bank team and assured them of all the support they desire from the port authority as well as the Ministry.
The Word Bank Port Economist Edward Liang, Consultant Yousuf Hussain, Disbursement Specialist Anwar Bhatti, Financial Management Specialist Naveed Saeeed and Port Specialist Hassan Afzal Zaidi were present in the meeting. The Port Specialist Hassan Afzal Zaidi led the delegation at Karachi Port. The team reviewed the progress made by KPT on reconstruction of berths which has reached approximately 62% physical progress and observed the quality of work to be satisfactory. The Minister Kamran Michael and Chairman KPT Rear Admiral Azhar Hayat were asked to assure that the work progress is expedited to match the planned progress so that the contract is completed per schedule.