LWMC told to prepare revised framework

LAHORE:  

Senior Punjab Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has directed the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) to prepare a revised framework for the cleanliness of the provincial metropolis with no weekly holiday.

Presiding over a meeting with new LWMC Managing Director Khalid Nazir Wattoo on Thursday, the senior minister ordered that Saturday day offs be cancelled, while waste would also be collected on Sundays. He directed the LWMC management to divide the provincial capital into 14 zones, based on constituencies of the National Assembly.

Aleem Khan said there should be an in-charge in each union council and no compromise should be made on the attendance of ghost staff. “Ghost employees must be identified and removed from their positions,” he added.

The senior minister said if the company finds 30 competent and hardworking officers, the issue of poor cleanliness could be resolved easily. He asked the new chief of the solid waste management to establish strong liaison with other government agencies on an urgent basis to ensure coordinated efforts are made for proper cleanliness in the city. He also asked the LWMC MD to take the district administration and deputy commissioner into loop and ensure strict monitoring of cleanliness operations in the city on a regular basis.

“Instead of traditional methods, the company should formulate a comprehensive communication and awareness-raising strategy that could bring change in public attitude and educate people about the significance of a clean environment,” he maintained.

The minister added that the senior management of the company had also come out onto to the field to ensure proper cleanliness and the dumping of waster on a daily basis. He also proposed a carrot and stick policy for the LWMC staff so that efficient employees could be rewarded while others would be held accountable.

Wattoo assured the senior minister that the cleanliness situation would be improved in the city. LWMC General Manager Operations Sohail Malik provided a detailed presentation to the minister and new managing director about different cleanliness activities.

Meanwhile, a four-member delegation of World Bank called on Aleem Khan and discussed various proposals of mutual interest. Aleem Khan briefed delegation members about the salient features of the new local bodies system for Punjab. He highlighted that the Punjab Local Government and Community Development Department has prepared 720 pilot projects for waste collection on a sustainable basis. He pointed out that the government is finalising strategy to start simultaneous development in 25,000 villages across Punjab – a project which would change the face of the province.

He said the government is preparing a master plan for next 50 years for all cities. He asked the World Bank delegation to extend cooperation for development of water supply and drainage system for villages across Punjab. Members of the delegation expressed their interest in different projects and promised follow-up meetings.

Following the meeting, LWMC MD visited paid multiple visits to different areas of the city to monitor sanitation conditions. He also visited the LWMC compost plant, Lakhoder landfill site, workshop, weighbridge and Mehmood Booti dumpsite.

He said special cleanliness services were one of the top priorities of the company which cannot be neglected. He said these were running in parallel to resolving public complaints without delay.

The MD added that department cannot achieve its objective without prompt and effective cooperation with the public. The citizens of the city should fulfill their social and moral responsibility regarding cleanliness. Waste should not be littered, but should be disposed of properly in the bin.