Daily Times

Sindh Chief Secretary (CS) Mumtaz Ali Shah stressed on the need to strengthen role of Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) throughout the province.

He also asked the relevant departments to improve pace of industrialisation in Sindh and develop parks and gardens to beautify environment, with a specific reference to betterment of public health.

Presiding over SSWMB progress review meeting , CS discussed various development projects belonging to Public Private Partnership on Thursday and noted that the scope of SSWMB should be extended to all districts of Sindh and work should be initiated to generate 50 megawatts (MW) of electricity from garbage.

He advised that monitoring and supervision of garbage collection from homes (door to door) and from reserved points, till its final disposal to landfill sites should be geared up. He further said that deputy commissioners should evolve monitoring in their respective jurisdiction to ascertain work and maintained that disciplinary action should be taken against lazy and unwilling officials. Chief Secretary (CS) categorically noted that sweeping and washing of roads should also be accorded regularly.

He directed officials to hold monthly meetings to review progress of SSWMB and take fruitful measures to enhance its mode of performance.

SSWMB managing director (MD) Saeed Mangnijo told the meeting during a briefing SSWMB was functional in four districts of Karachi including East, West, South and Malir. They said that planning was underway to include district Central and Korangi. “The garbage disposal work is being carried out day and night,” he informed the meeting.

The meeting also reviewed public private partnership (PPP) projects including Hyderabad Mirpurkhas dual road,Malir Expressway, Jhirik-Mullah Katiar Bridge, security and safety of National Institute of Child Health (NICH) and other projects.

Mumtaz Ali Shah said that a detailed survey had been accorded in Karachi and more than 50 percent of them needed improvement and development. He said that the development work of Karachi Safari Park would bring better recreational standards for people. He advised the relevant departments to check plans for industrialisation in Sindh aimed at creating job opportunities for manpower and to boost economy in larger national interest.

Published in Daily Times, November 30^th 2018.