ADB extends cooperation to help improve infrastructure in Sargodha

As per plan, measures will be taken to dispose and recycle solid waste

SARGODHA: Asian Development Bank (ADB) has inked an agreement with Sargodha District administration to initiate water, sewage and solid waste management projects. As part of the plan, the garbage and trash collected would be recycled after processing.

Senior ADB Project Officer in Pakistan, Umar Ali Shah, told Express News that the ADB, in coordination with Punjab local government and community department, has signed up a contract through which environment-friendly projects aimed at betterment of water, sewage and solid waste management would be undertaken.



He added in this regard, Punjab Intermediate Cities Improvement Investment Programme (PICIIP) acts as a foundation for development in Sargodha.

He maintained as per the contract, the ADB would provide technical and other assistance that aims to improve basic facilities and administrative infrastructure in the district.

In a bid to finalise the projects, the ADB mission team held various meetings with Sargodha Deputy Commissioner Muzaffar Khan Siyal and other district and local government officers. The ADB team members highlighted the aims and objectives of its project and said that the programme not only aims to strengthen civic facilities through technical assistance but it will also make every possible aid for disposal and recycling of solid waste.

The team members also said that ADB is monitoring the problems of the city after which it would provide specialised trainings to local and district government officers through workshops extending from one month to six months.

While speaking to Express News, Programme Coordinator Nausheen Tahir said, “The local government and community development programme aims at sustainable development in urban and rural areas.”

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Muzaffar Khan Siyal said that the Lower stream of Jhelum is the only water source available for the densely populated city of Sargodha while water obtained from underground is not fit for human consumption.



He added that the sewerage system of the city has been in a dilapidated condition for the past 40 years. “It has lost all its utility while the temporary and conventional arrangements made by solid waste management needs to be transformed as per the modern needs of environmental preservation,” he highlighted.

The DC mentioned, “Chronic issues have engulfed the municipal corporation, including inadequate machinery and human resource.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 8^th, 2018.