An interview with Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) Chairman Altaf M. Saleem
Q: After the October 8, 2005 earthquake, how did you start the important phase of restructuring and rehabilitation?
A: The First phase was really challenging, but now the situation is better and that is only due to the huge efforts of Pakistani nation, timely decisions by the government and every possible support from the international community. Establishment of Earthquake Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Authority (ERRA) was a commendable and timely decision by the government. Most of the times, people argue against formulation of a new organization (ERRA), especially in the presence of departments like Civil Defence and others. Here, I can say that ERRA is a managing authority with the mandate to build back and better, and we are working efficiently for achieving the task in time.
Q: What will be the impact of Pakistan in the international community, especially in the backdrop of recent World Bank report?
A: The World Bank report has given us real confidence and enthusiasm, but the actual benchmark will be our goal i.e. total reconstruction of the disaster area and rehabilitation of affected families. It's notable that ERRA and Pakistani nation have done a great job, which was not only appreciated by the former Srilankan president Chandrika Kumaratunga during her visit to Pakistan, but it was also taken up as a case study in various American universities.
Q: Bureaucratic red tap is the part and parcel of any development project, has ERRA also faced it?
A: No, we can't rule out red tap, but in case of ERRA, we have built a transparent mechanism that automatically minimizes the role of establishment lords. We are actually the supervisors and not the executors; different NGO's are the funding agencies and executors as well. All earthquake-affected areas were constructed under the supervision of ERRA through facilitation of land and design; management control is with Nespak, while funds are being provided by the NGOs and donor agencies. This is the whole framework through which we are operating.
Q: Do you think that international community has contributed more in Pakistan, compared to Tsunami-affected areas?
A: Tsunami in Indian Ocean and earthquake in Pakistan are two different names of the same catastrophe that happened in South Asian region, and international community has fully contributed towards rehabilitation. We have actually got more than we desired. It is really note worthy that the volume and pace of progress in Pakistan is ahead of that in the Tsunami-affected countries.
Q: For project execution, Once DFID had paid the amount to Red Crescent and refused ERRA. Was it a misunderstanding or they are unsatisfied with ERRA's performance?
A: Every donor agency works in its own way, and on the same line the Department of International Development Fund (DFID), United Kingdom (UK), have their own priorities, but they along with other donors have fully supported us in the rebuilding cause. For instance, USAID has offered us the funds for construction of schools, but we refused and gave them land (with the help of local governments), acting as a supervisory body, while Nespak controlled project operations.
Q: People of affected area still have a lot of reservations over distribution of compensation amount. What you can say about it?
A: This is not the case; relief package of all four tranches have already been distributed among affected persons. There might be some rare case of mismanagement, but overall situation is perfect and most complaints in this regard are fake. According to our progress report of December last year, an amount of Rs4,682 million was distributed among 260,802 people. Moreover, we have extended this program for six months. Now, on the development side, we have rebuilt what used to be two-rooms schools into 20 rooms facilities. Likewise, hospitals with ultra modern facilities were built in areas previously lacking such a facility.
Q: There are rumors of conflict between ERRA and AJK government over shifting the capital from Muzaffarabad to Mirpur?
A: There is no conflict between AJK government and ERRA because we have no concern with where the capital should be or is located. Secondly, we have only the mandate to build the earthquake-affected areas.
Q: What are the major projects ERRA has completed?
A: During the 60-year history of Pakistan, we have not yet achieved the target of concrete housing for every Pakistani, but in quake-affected areas, 95 per cent people are living in “paka” houses. We have built modern universities in Muzaffarabad at a cost of $40 million with the genuine support of Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Hazara University, which was earlier established in a mental hospital's building and had become dilapidated before earthquake, got entirely new look.
Q: Can you give the estimate of how much was spent on restructuring and in which phase this whole process is now?
A: Approximately $6 billion has already been spent in the affected area, out of which $4.3 billion was spent on the reconstruction of roads, housing, educational institutions and health facilities, whereas $1 billion was spent on relief activities. The rebuilding phase is still continuing, and housing projects for which 27 per cent of the total budget was allocated would be completed in June this year (2008). Health projects are ahead of target, road construction projects are on target, where as education sector projects are slightly behind the target.
Q: what about the future of affected area, and is there any plan to develop the tourist sites in AJK and Balakot?
A: Future of this area is really bright, but regarding economics, I can say that it's purely up to the respective governments. About tourism development, initially AJK was banned for foreigners, while Balakot is the only Northern tourist area where only local or some foreigner tourists visit. But in my opinion, we as a nation have done nothing practically for the area. Initially, you must have maps, better infrastructure, roads along with signs, communication facilities, common utilities, health and proper residential facilities etc.
Q: How will you ensure the safety of rebuilt structures and machinery?
A: This is really a matter of great concern, but before handing over of any completed structure to the governments of AJK or NWFP, we ensure legally and according to the local laws that all structures will be kept safe and protected. To fulfil these requirements, we are making agreements with the respective governments. Regarding the future aspects, I have some concerns about the protection of equipment and assets like hospitals equipped with highly sophisticated machines. After ERRA moves out of the affected area, the future of these structures and machines is uncertain. If something happens to them, it will be due to the absence of technically trained manpower and appropriate funds.
