Wastage is set on fire right outside a school in Islamabad on Wednesday. PHOTO: INP
ISLAMABAD: With the local government struggling with waste collection after Eidul Azha, it has decided to outsource the service to improve cleanliness in the federal capital.
This was stated by Islamabad Metropolitan Corporation (IMC) Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz while speaking to the media on Monday.
He explained that a decision to outsource the solid waste management system in the federal capital has been taken to ensure proper cleanliness of the city.
At the moment, he said that the IMC staff is responsible for waste management in the city but has been under for being cumbersome.
The mayor disclosed that the IMC is in the process of hiring a company to manage the solid waste of the capital, having already called for tenders in this regard.
Offal collection relatively more effective than last year
A decision on the company is likely to be made within the next few weeks, he said. He said both local and foreign companies will be able to bid for the contract. The mayor assured that the bidding process shall be conducted transparently.
To a question about cleanliness in the Diplomatic Enclave and carpeting of roads, Aziz said that cleanliness of the enclave was at the top of IMC’s agenda and that they have already taken several steps in this regard.
Regarding the dilapidated condition of roads in an area where most foreign missions are concentrated, the mayor said he had already issued the necessary instructions in this regard.
On this occasion, Aziz urged diplomatic missions to write to him in case of any complaints so that he could prioritise their early resolution.
One issue he pointed out was that both foreign missions and the general public were still turning to the Capital Development Authority (CDA) for the resolution of their problems.
'Solid waste is a treasure, don't waste it'
“As a matter of fact, the CDA now has nothing to do with such issues [of cleanliness and carpeting] therefore all such queries and complaints should be directed to the IMC for proper resolution,” he said.
To another question about development work in the federal capital, the mayor admitted that development work was still in limbo in some cases because the IMC was still engaged in a tug of war with the CDA over authority and funds.
The IMC has sufficient funds to complete all such works but the CDA, he claimed, wants these funds to be utilised through the civic agency. This standoff, Aziz lamented, was causing unnecessary delays.
Asked about the ongoing tree plantation drive, Aziz said the IMC has already planted hundreds of saplings across the city while a plantation drive in this regard was continuing.
He said the IMC will continue its efforts towards a clean and green Pakistan adding that his department was ready to join hands with private organisations in this regard.
Published in The Express Tribune, August 27th, 2019.
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