Mayor criticises waste management board's offal disposal planning

Sindh solid waste has announced to lift sacrificial animals' offal in only two districts

KARACHI: Mayor Wasim Akhtar has condemned the Sindh Solid Waste Management Board's (SSWMB) decision of disposing sacrificial animals' offal in only two districts of the city on the occasion of Eidul Azha.

Censuring the move by SSWMB, the mayor said that the board is receiving sufficient funds and can manage offal disposal across the city. The discriminatory behaviour of SSWMB by neglecting other parts of the city is incomprehensible, said Akhtar.

The mayor expressed his concern while presiding over a meeting regarding arrangements on Eidul Azha at his office at Karachi Metropolitan Corporation  (KMC) building on Thursday. The meeting was attended by Municipal Commissioner Nawaz Nasim, District Municipal Corporation (DMC) Central Chairperson Rehan Hashmi, DMC Korangi Chairperson Nayyar Raza, DMC East Chairperson Moeed Anwer, DMC West Administrator Ghulam Farid, former town nazim Izhar Ahmed Khan, Muttahida Qaumi Movement Parliamentary Leader in the City Council Aslam Shah Afridi, South Municipal Commissioner Afaq Saeed and other KMC and DMCs officers.



Responsibility of garbage or offal disposal totally lies with the board, Akhtar maintained. However, the KMC will take measures to ensure cleanliness in the city during Eid, he said.

Akhtar further said this year 10% to 15% increase in animal sacrifice is expected. Last year, around 1.7 million animals were sacrificed in the city during Eidul Azha, he claimed, adding that this year, arrangements to dispose around two millions offal have to be made.

He said offal collection points have been set up at the district level from where the waste will be lifted and carried to the dumping points, which are the trenches where the offal will be buried. The mayor also asked the officials and DMC representatives to ensure cleanliness in their areas and advised use of limestone powder on streets after sacrifice is offered.



For three days, the staff has to work keenly to keep the city clean and should respond to the complaints immediately to avoid any back log, the mayor directed. However, the work for disposal of offal will continue even some days after Eidul Azha, he added.

He also asked KMC officials to make sure that wardens are also available to provide assistance to its staff during Eid days. "Citizens of Karachi have given us their votes and it is our duty to be on ground," Akhtar said.

He also requested cantonment boards and Sindh Industrial Trading Estate to oversee areas which come under their jurisdiction and manage offal disposal. Any complaints regarding offal removal and disposal during Eid days could be lodged on the KMC Complaints Centre number 1339, the mayor said.