Commissioner warns Chinese firms contracted to clean city

Cleanliness work of Malir, South and East districts has been outsourced to two firms

KARACHI: Karachi Commissioner Iftikhar Shalwani issued a warning to the Chinese companies hired for cleaning garbage in the districts according to their agreement with the Sindh government. Chairing a meeting in his office on Wednesday to review the cleanliness situation in the city, Shalwani warned the Chinese companies that action would be taken against them according to the law if they did not fulfill their responsibilities.

Sindh Solid Waste Management Board (SSWMB) Managing Director Asif Ikram, all deputy commissioners and all municipal commissioners of the district municipal commissions (DMCs) attended the meeting which also discussed the performance of the Chinese companies during the recent cleanliness campaign carried out by the Sindh government. The representatives of both the Chinese companies which have been hired were also present in the meeting.

Ikram and the deputy commissioners of South, East and Malir districts briefed the commissioner on the non-implementation of the contract. They told Shalwani that the companies were not fulfilling their responsibilities of lifting and disposing of garbage in the districts they have been hired for.

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Shalwani said that the Sindh chief minister has directed the city administration to ensure the implementation of the contract signed with the Chinese companies. "The CM wants the city clean and the system of cleanliness in the city improved," he said.

The meeting also expressed dissatisfaction over the reply by the Chinese companies. Lack of cleanliness on roads, streets, neighbourhoods, and footpaths in the designated districts was pointed out.

South Deputy Commissioner Syed Salahuddin Ahmed said that one of the companies had failed to provide required dust bins, equipment and machinery.

Shalwani asked the representatives of the Chinese companies to adhere to the agreement of making the city clean, warning that action would be taken against them otherwise. He directed the companies to work in coordination with the district administration and SSWMB.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 31^st, 2019.