Islamabad:A Japan-funded water supply project has been inaugurated in Village Bakki of Mansehra district, providing access to safe drinking water to more than 6,000 residents.

Japanese Ambassador to Pakistan Akamatsu Shuichi inaugurated the project on Wednesday, which was implemented by Friends Welfare Association (FWA) Pakistan with financial assistance of $59,764 from the Government of Japan under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) Programme.

The ceremony was attended by Member of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa 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.

The project involved the construction of a gravity-flow water supply system, including 6,013 metres of galvanised iron main supply pipes and a water intake tank.

FWA and the local community also contributed additional resources for excavation, transportation of construction materials and water quality testing to ensure a safe and reliable water supply.

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 had faced considerable difficulties in collecting water for their households.

Addressing the inauguration 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 observed that the new facility would reduce the daily burden of water collection, particularly for women and girls, create better educational opportunities for children and improve the overall health and quality of life of the community.

The ambassador also emphasised the importance of proper maintenance to ensure the long-term sustainability of the water supply system.

He reaffirmed Japan's commitment to supporting Pakistan's sustainable development and expressed hope that the project would serve as a lasting symbol of friendship between the two countries.