Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that clean drinking water is basic right of every citizen and Punjab government has initiated a mega project to ensure provision of potable water, for which, a huge amount of Rs 25 billion have been allocated in the budget.
Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif presided over a high level meeting here today, which reviewed in detail the implementation of Punjab Clean Cities Roadmap. Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that in first phase, Punjab Clean Cities Roadmap Programme is being launched in seven cities and a plan has been devised to clean rural areas as well.
He said that initially this programme was being started from South Punjab while 116 water filtration plants are providing clean drinking water to the citizens in Bahawalpur region and now this programme will be advanced and completed soon at tehsils of South Punjab.
The Punjab government has established two companies for implementation of this programme which are supposed to deliver by taking decisions independently so there was no need to forward any summary to him, the CM directed the concerned authorities. He said that professional dishonesty and criminal negligence by some officers have caused pointless deferral in this public welfare project but in time interference of Punjab government has figured it out and brought the culprits to book.
‘Now working as a team, things are moving forward in the right direction, he added. Shehbaz Sharif directed to launch an effective awareness campaign regarding provision of clean drinking water as participation of community is necessary for its success. Disable rural water supply schemes should be made functional soon and effective monitoring system be introduced as this scheme will be beneficial for millions of people, he added.
He directed to restore 800 inactive water schemes till April 2018 and added that all-out resources would be provided in this regard. The meeting expressed dissatisfaction over the performance of WASA and decision of reforms and reorganization in it was taken.
Shehbaz Sharif directed the concerned authorities to make an effective viable plan and hire capable human resource at merit in order to equip WASA with latest trends while external and internal audit system should also be introduced. He also directed to expedite the process of up-gradation of four water testing labs at Multan, DG khan, Lahore and Rawalpindi.
He said that Punjab government has decided to acquire mobile water testing labs and initially water samples would be checked by five mobile water testing labs. While directing to procure mobile water testing labs for 36 districts the Chief Minister said that their framework ought to be autonomous like Drug Testing Lab. He commended Chairman Planning & Development and Secretary Housing on splendid step regarding mobile water testing labs. He said that chlorination process in tube wells will be the responsibility of Deputy Commissioner of concerned district and survey be conducted to assess the condition of the pipelines.
The chief minister expressed strong displeasure and chided concerned authorities over the delay in the process of outsourcing solid waste management companies and deferral in creating energy from waste. He said that nothing has been done to get energy from garbage and added that province has setup 6000 MW power plants but non-installation of 15 MW waste-to-energy plant is deplorable. Mayors have to contribute to make cities clean as people have chosen them and it is their responsibility to provide services to the public. Shehbaz Sharif directed to hire managing directors of solid waste management companies from private sector because it is a fact that lone an expert MD can have its influence in making the cities clean and only capable human resource can bring craved outcomes from institutions. He said that cleanliness is half of faith and to meet this challenge, we need to involve people for which public awareness campaign of cleanliness must be launched. The Chief Minister directed to hold a road show in Beijing to extend the scope of Lahore Solid Waste Management Company to other three districts. It is also important to develop landfill sites so suitable locations be identified in villages, he added. Rather than words and claims, organizations have to deliver now practically. He said that diligent work builds nations and examples of Germany and Japan are before us as Allah helps those who have good faith.