Thefts force WSSP to switch from iron to concrete manhole covers

Service providers to also check quality, blacklist contractors if cover fails to meet required standard

Keeping in view the rampant theft of manhole covers made of iron, Water and Sanitation Services Peshawar (WSSP) on Friday decided to use concrete covers in future so that it could not be stolen.

The service provider also decided to check the quality of manhole covers and blacklist contractors if the covers fail to meet the required standard.

The decisions were taken at a meeting held with WSSP Chief Executive Officer Syed Zafar Ali Shah in the chair, wherein all zonal managers and managers were present. Shah directed the managers to cover all manholes with concrete covers.

The chief executive reviewed sanitation and water supply situations and progress on the ongoing projects. He directed managers to visit a union council daily and check attendance of sanitation staff.

“Action will be taken against the concerned manager, municipal inspector and inspector if I find a single ghost sanitation worker,” he warned.

He also warned them of strict disciplinary action if any sanitation staffer was found without wearing uniform and safety gears while on duty.

The CEO called for effective monitoring of all vehicles so that fuel expenses could be reduced.

The chief executive mentioned the World Health Organisation (WHO) report on Shaheen Muslim Town-I &II which declared the congested localities clear of crippling virus and declared it a success of WSSP as well as of UNICEF.

He lauded the efforts of WSSP staff and thanked UNICEF for its financial assistance that leads to the clearance of virus from one of the most congested locality of Peshawar city.

He said that WSSP was committed to keep Peshawar clean and provide a healthy environment to its inhabitants.

He assured that he would recommend the provincial government to award the sanitation staff who worked in Shaheen Muslim Town to acknowledge their services.

He directed the zonal managers to take steps for successful implementation of an agreement with the University of Peshawar.

Zafar Ali Shah asked them to re-adjust of sanitation staff in zonal offices and transfer the additional staff to zones where they are needed.