MANSEHRA: A jirga on Friday failed to break the deadlock between Wapda and local residents over the price of land for Dassu hydropower project.

The jirga took place in Dassu with local residents, deputy commissioner of Kohistan Syed Mohammad Shah, MNA Sarzameen Khan and project director Mohammad Farooq in attendance.

Work on the project has been suspended for one month as Wapda and local residents are at odds over land price and other issues.

Wapda has expressed inability to pay the price demanded by landowners.

During the jirga, MNA Sarzameen Khan said the people affected by the project won`t accept the price of land less than their demand.

`The people won`t allow resumption of work until their demands are met,` he said.

The MNA said Wapda should settle the dispute with locals without delay for smooth execution of the 4200mw project, which would help meet energy crisis.

He said besides offering locals better price for their land, Wapda should also give them jobs in the project in line with a bilateral agreement made earlier.

The project director saidhe had forwarded the people`s demands to the relevant departments but the response was awaited.

`I appeal you (people) to allow resumption of work as the issue land price and jobs for locals will settle soon,` he said.

Mr Farooq also urged the people to review their demands, especially the one about land price, saying the price demanded by landowners was unreasonable.

He said the families affected by the project would be properly compensated by employing their members for the project.

The project director said until work began, nobody could be given jobs in the project and therefore, the people should show flexibility and allow Wapda to restart work.

Speaking on the occasion, the deputy commissioner also pushed the people for allowing resumption of work on the project.

He said the government didn`t want to use force, so the people should show flexibility in their stand on land price and project jobs.

Mr Shah said landowners should ask for a reasonable price for their land and other properties.

`We are here to serve you and protect your legal rights but you should not create hurdles to the smooth execution of development projects, which are beneficial for you and the area alike,` he said.